Who is Ben Bishop’s backup?

Apr 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on from the goal during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Islanders at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) looks on from the goal during the second period in game one of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Islanders at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Lightning goalie Ben Bishop was injured in Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals, but who is his backup that was subbed in relief

The Tampa Bay Lightning have been playing exceptionally well through the majority of the 2016 NHL Playoffs, as evidenced by the fact that they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, the one thing that they could ill afford would be an injury to arguably their most important cog in their system, goalie Ben Bishop. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the first period of the East Finals, Ben Bishop got his leg tangled up in an awkward way that looked awful. He then had to be stretchered off the ice and would clearly not be returning for this game and likely not for the rest of the NHL Playoffs. Hockey fans and Lightning fans of course are now left asking who Ben Bishop’s backup is between the pipes.

For at least Game 1, it was 21-year-old second year goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy that took Bishop’s spot in goal for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy for his brief career has played in just 40 games before coming in as relief for Bishop in this Game 1. In those games, which included 34 starts, the 21-year-old allowed 2.6 goals per outing and posted a save percentage of .913.

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