Novikov compared the confrontation between Shesterkin and Vasilevsky with the duel between Pushkin and Dantes

Honored coach of Russia Yuri Novikov compared the confrontation between Russian goalkeepers Igor Shesterkin (New York Rangers) and Andrey Vasilevsky (Tampa Bay Lightning) in the semifinals of the Stanley Cup with the duel between Alexander Pushkin and Georges Dantes, noting that in the end, from rivals “one survives”.

The Rangers-Tampa Eastern Conference Finals kick off June 1.

– For me it is already certain that the struggle for the highest awards comes down to a duel of two goalkeepers who stand opposite each other and fight like Pushkin and Dantes. And other hockey players run between them, no offense will be said to them. Vasilevsky is understandable, out of competition, but Shesterkin shows just a beautiful game. We will cheer for both, but, unfortunately, only one survives in a duel. Our goalkeepers are distinguished by their love for their profession, despite the fact that this is not even a dog’s job, it is harder.

I think that the NHL should revise the contracts of all goalkeepers upwards, introduce a bonus for harm and remove goalkeepers from the payroll. And the level of understanding of the game, our hockey IQ is higher. I even feel sorry for the Canadian goalkeepers, because today they are late for the development of hockey, while the Russian ones are ahead of it. Therefore, Shesterkin vs Vasilevsky is just a fantastic super series.

Vasilevsky is a block, in texture, in size. Shesterkin compensates for the lack of size with an understanding of the game, a brilliant reaction. He’s even a better passing player than the defenders! It is difficult to say who will win this goalkeeper duel. The help of field players will be of great importance. They must understand responsibility. Defenders of the future should also be able to save their own gates, RB Sport quotes Novikov as saying.