While theories have run abound as to why Ben Bishop twice had to leave Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final as the Tampa Bay Lightning evened up their series with the Chicago Blackhawks and his availability for Game 3, the reality is simple: it really doesn’t matter. While Bishop is a world class goalie, his understudy — 20 year-old phenom Andrei Vasilevsky has an almost unparalleled résumé and could very well be the one that closes the proverbial door and carries Tampa to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 11 years.
In getting the win in relief, Vasilevsky showed nerves of steel against a Hawks team that is looking to cement its dynasty status and played wise beyond his years. While Game 2 may have been Vasilevsky’s biggest stage, it wasn’t his first rodeo — he has 19 NHL games under his belt and was more than impressive with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch over the course of this year — his first in North America. If the Bolts need to start the uber-talented rookie in Game 3 at the Madhouse on Madison, there’s no reason for there to be any panic in that dressing room.
This isn’t to take anything away from Bishop, who has been one of the most impressive goalies in the NHL over the last two seasons and is one of the biggest reasons why Tampa Bay has gotten to this point. Quite the contrary, in fact, as if I were Jon Cooper I’d have Bishop in the crease provided he gets the medical clearance. Having said that I doubt Cooper would lose one ounce of sleep if he’s forced to play the talented puck-stopper from Ufa in what will surely be a pivotal Game 3.
With the way Tampa Bay has played this series, coupled with Vasilevsky’s amazing talent, it really doesn’t matter who goes in Game 3. The Lightning have been the better team in the series and should be able to easily steal at least a game in Chicago to “regain” home ice.
