Shesterkin does a little “tire pumping” ahead of matchup against Vasilevsky

We've got a goalie matchup for the ages starting tomorrow night when Andrei Vasilevsky and the Tampa Bay Lightning visit Madison Square Garden to take on Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final. 

Vasilevsky and Shesterkin are both world class goaltenders and, arguably, the two best goaltenders in the NHL. Shesterkin, in just his third season, is a lock for the Vezina Trophy this season while Vasilevsky has won the award once and been nominated for it four times in the past five years.

In other words: These guys are good.

And it's clear that the two Russian netminders share a respect for each other's game. Shesterkin said as much to the media last night when asked about the matchup. He gave some good, old fashioned "tire pumping" to his opponent:

Interesting... I'd have to agree with Shesterkin given Vasilevsky's history and his post-season this year, but it's hard to bet against Shesterkin himself. To be perfectly honest as an old goalie myself I'm just excited to see a good old fashioned goalie duel where the winner heads to the Stanley Cup Final. I know that most hockey fans get fired up by high scoring games, but the drama of a game where neither goaltender gives an inch is much more riveting to me. Give me some of that old school Patrick Roy vs Martin Brodeur goodness!