Lightning goalie Bishop scratched from Game 4
Ben Bishop is out for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final with an undisclosed injury. (USATSI)
CHICAGO — When the Tampa Bay Lightning hit the ice for warmup ahead of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, it was rookie netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy leading the team out. That was the first indication that Ben Bishop, the team’s primary starter throughout the entire season and playoffs was not going to play. Soon after that, the Lightning confirmed that Bishop would not play in Game 4.
After mysteriously leaving Game 2 early, Bishop came back to make 36 saves in a gutsy Game 3 win. Though he got the W, he looked slower in his movement and seemed to labor throughout the game. Even as he took repeated contact from the Blackhawks, he stayed out there and appeared to get more comfortable as the game went on, but now it’s clear that something is definitely wrong.
Bishop is currently listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
“It would take a lot to not play in a Stanley Cup Final game,” Bishop said after Monday night’s win. Apparently it’s a lot.
Kristers Gudlevskis dressed as Tampa Bay’s backup for Game 4.
The 20-year-old Vasilevskiy has played in three different playoff games including Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final when he played the final nine minutes of the game to secure the win and even the series. In two previous appearances, he played in mop up duty and allowed four total goals against.
In 16 games this season, Vasilevskiy posted a .918 save percentage and a 7-5-1 record. He also has a lot of experience in the KHL playoffs and international tournaments for Russia, but none of those probably can compare to Game 4 in Chicago against the Blackhawks.
He is just the sixth goaltender in NHL history to make his first playoff start in the Stanley Cup Final according to Elias (via NHL communications). The last to do it was Jussi Markkanen, who started Game 2 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final for the Edmonton Oilers.
There was little indication from head coach Jon Cooper in his pregame remarks during the Lightning’s morning skate.
“I think we’re in the same holding pattern as we were 48 hours ago,” Cooper said, meaning that he thought Bishop would be a game-time decision.
Bishop has a 13-9 record in the playoffs, .919 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average.
The Lightning currently lead the Stanley Cup Final 2-1.
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