Lightning goalie Anders Lindback earns first star honors from NHL

By foxsports
Published

TAMPA, Fla. -- The NHL has honored Anders Lindback for his standout play.

On Monday, the Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender was named the league's first star for the week ending Sunday, after he posted a 3-0-0 record with a 0.67 goals-against average in appearances against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. He also had a .975 save percentage and one shutout in the span, helping Tampa Bay earn four consecutive victories to close the regular season with 101 points.

The Lightning earned home-ice advantage against the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Game 1 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Tampa Bay Times Forum.

A native of Gavle, Sweden, Lindback replaced Ben Bishop after Bishop left early in the first period with an upper-body injury during Tampa Bay's victory over Toronto last Tuesday. Lindback has appeared in 23 games this season, earning an 8-12-2 record with a 2.90 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage.

"I try to approach this and see it as a huge opportunity," Lindback said last Thursday. "It's what I've been working hard for every day and all my career."

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.