Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy spray water on on his face during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers Monday, March 3, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Vasilevskiy earns second Vezina after elite 2025-26 campaign
Andrei Vasilevskiy added another milestone to his Hall of Fame résumé when he claimed the 2025-26 Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender as selected by league general managers. The Tampa Bay Lightning star received the news in an unforgettable way. As he walked out of Benchmark International Arena, Tampa police officers and a member of their K-9 unit approached him about suspicious activity near his vehicle. Instead, they surprised him with the Vezina Trophy.
The moment capped a season that reminded the league why Vasilevskiy remains one of the most reliable and durable goaltenders of his generation. This marks his second career Vezina win and his first since the 2018-19 season. He has now been a finalist six times, a feat matched only by Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, and Dominik Hasek under the trophy’s modern voting format.
A season defined by consistency and a historic point streak
Vasilevskiy delivered one of the most complete seasons of his career. He led the NHL with 39 victories in 58 starts, finishing 39-15-4 with a 2.31 goals‑against average and a .912 save percentage. His 18‑game point streak from December 20 through February 25 (17‑0‑1) anchored Tampa Bay’s push toward its ninth straight postseason appearance, tying the longest active streak in the league.
He also became just the sixth goaltender in NHL history to record at least nine 30‑win seasons. His current run of nine straight such campaigns trails only Brodeur’s 12‑season stretch from 1995‑96 through 2007‑08.
Vezina voting results show Vasilevskiy’s clear edge
Vasilevskiy earned 17 first‑place votes and appeared on 28 ballots for 114 points, comfortably outpacing the rest of the field. New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin finished second with 51 points and eight first‑place votes. Boston’s Jeremy Swayman placed third with 46 points.
The full top eight included Logan Thompson, Scott Wedgewood, Dan Vladar, Igor Shesterkin, and Jake Oettinger.
What this means for Tampa Bay moving forward
For the Lightning, Vasilevskiy’s award reinforces the foundation of their competitive window. Tampa Bay continues to evolve around its core, but the franchise’s identity still begins in goal. With Vasilevskiy performing at an elite level and showing no signs of slowing down, the Lightning enter the offseason with stability at the most important position on the ice.
His second Vezina Trophy is more than a personal achievement. It is a reminder that Tampa Bay remains a threat in the Eastern Conference as long as number 88 is in the crease.
