Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop injured what looks to be his right leg in an innocent play midway through the first period against the Detroit Red Wings. Bishop extended his right leg on a puck that went wide before immediately falling to the ice in pain. Bishop was replaced by backup goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Bishop did not return to the bench to start the second, leaving the Lightning with no apparent backup should Vasilevskiy go down. According to Tampa Bay Times writer Joe Smith, the Lightning have not designated an emergency third goaltender, but both goalie coach Frantz Jean and PR rep Brian Breseman have goaltending experience should the need arise.
Bishop has not had an ideal season, posting a .906 SV% and a 2.82 GAA in the final year of his contract. In contrast, backup goaltender Vasilevskiy has a .921 SV% and a 2.49GAA. Most experts consider this Bishop’s last season with the Lightning, and the team could trade him before the trade deadline if they believe Vasilevskiy could backstop a deep playoff run.