The Wraparound: Shesterkin vs. Vasilevskiy hype is justified

The Wraparound is your daily look at the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’ll break down the NHL playoff games today with the all-important television information.

• The wait is over for the Lightning to get their 2022 Eastern Conference Final opponent: they’ll face the Rangers. Game 1 takes place at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.

• Sometimes, playoff hockey can’t deliver on our daydreams. Game 1 of Avalanche – Oilers was as fast, thrilling, and skillful as expected. The Avalanche won, but not before the Oilers made a rally.

• Check out PHT’s predictions for Avalanche – Oilers and Rangers – Lightning. Want more preview fun? Read up on this Roundtable, which covers surprises so far, and us anticipating other surprises.

While other leagues see the absolute best face off each other in the playoffs (often during championship rounds) NHL fans don’t get to see best-on-best as often on the biggest stage. It’s telling, really, that people first think of Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby‘s duelling hat tricks from 2009 while hyping up Connor McDavid vs. Nathan MacKinnon.

Stunningly, we’re not just treated to two of the world’s greatest forwards (and some comparable friends) during these conference finals. In the Rangers – Lightning series, fans are also treated to a battle of the best goalies in the sport with Igor Shesterkin facing off against Andrei Vasilevskiy.

You can imagine the barroom debates and playground shouting matches.

Some might view it as best goalie of this time (Andrei Vasilevskiy) versus the best of the moment (Igor Shesterkin). Others may insist that Vasilevskiy hasn’t ever handed away the torch, even temporarily.

Being that it’s hockey, you won’t find much (public) trash-talking between Shesterkin and