Andrei Vasilevskiy, goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been named the top-rated goalie in EA Sports' NHL 27, achieving a rating of 94. This recognition follows his second Vezina Trophy win, highlighting his impressive performance with a 39-15-4 record and a .911 save percentage. Despite his accolades, the Lightning faced challenges in the playoffs, marking their fourth consecutive first-round exit. Vasilevskiy's teammate, Nikita Kucherov, has the highest overall rating on the team at 97. The game's deluxe edition releases on September 4, while the standard edition launches on September 11.

By the Numbers
  • Vasilevskiy achieved a 39-15-4 record last season.
  • He posted a .911 save percentage and a 2.31 goals against average.
State of Play
  • The Lightning finished second in the Atlantic Division last season.
  • The team has made nine consecutive playoff appearances but has struggled in the first round.
What's Next

NHL 27 will be available for early access on September 4, leading up to its full release on September 11, potentially influencing player interest and gameplay dynamics.

Bottom Line

Vasilevskiy's rating underscores his status as a premier netminder, but the Lightning need to address their playoff shortcomings to realign their competitive edge.