NHL Playoffs: Ben Bishop, Steven Stamkos likely out for Game 4

The Lightning will most likely continue to be without goaltender Ben Bishop and captain Steven Stamkos for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Tampa Bay Lightning currently trail the Pittsburgh Penguins two games to one in the Eastern Conference Finals. They have fought admirably despite not having 2015-16 Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop and their captain Steven Stamkos.

While they have gotten a lift from the return of defenseman Anton Stralman, the Lightning will likely be without both Bishop and Stamkos once again in Game 4.

"“I’m hoping to, but there’s still a real possibility that I may not play at all in the playoffs,” Stamkos said, via ESPN. “We’ve moved into football terms now, so Ben Bishop is probably [doubtful],” Lightning coach Jon Cooper added."

It will be very tough for the Lightning to beat the Penguins if they don’t have Stamkos, but they can survive without Bishop. That’s not a criticism of Bishop, but rather a compliment to how well young goaltender Andrei Vasilveskiy has played in relief if Bishop. He has allowed six goals in three games (including two starts) this series. Of the six goals that he has allowed, at most one or two were his fault.

If the Lightning want to beat the Penguins, they’ll have to solve rookie goaltender Matt Murray and they will have to find a way to neutralize the Penguins’ speed like they did in Game 1. Stamkos would certainly help their offense.

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