Just over halfway into the first period in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, Ben Bishop left the game on a stretcher.
He was caught off guard with the Penguins swarming and spun around onto his left knee, then immediately grabbed his left leg in pain. He was visibly in distress lying on the ice for a long stretch and had to be moved to a stretcher to be removed from the ice.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, who came over to give Bishop a five on the stretcher, entered the game in Bishop’s place. He has played one playoff game in his career, a 2-1 loss to Chicago in Game 4 of last year’s Stanley Cup Final.
Before exiting, Bishop had made nine saves, including some key stops as the team completely killed off a five-minute boarding penalty to Ryan Callahan that temporarily sent Kris Letang out of the match.
If Bishop is out in Game 2, the Lightning could be without Bishop, Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman, which is a lot of talent to be without in the postseason. Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis is traveling with the Lightning as well, and could become the team’s backup in the absence of Bishop.
Bishop may be the team’s MVP through the postseason so far, posting a .938 save percentage through 10 games with an 8-2 record.
#lightning Steven Stamkos was down near the ambulance talking to Ben Bishop before leaving. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 14, 2016
UDPATE:
#lightning Ben Bishop didn't leave in ambulance and is still in the arena. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 14, 2016
Dustin Nelson is the News Editor for The Hockey Writers. He’s a contributor to Hockey Prospectus, Hockey Wilderness, and writes a column for Rotowire. He’s also written for Gone Puck Wild, Wild Xtra, InDigest, Electric Literature, The Rumpus, Tiny Mix Tapes, Prefix Magazine & other publications. Have a tip? Email him at dlukenelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
