For a team that is becoming known for its offensive prowess, it was the Tampa Bay Lightning’s goaltending that grabbed everyone’s attention against the Minnesota Wild.
Ben Bishop made 25 saves in Tampa Bay’s 3-1 victory over Minnesota on Thursday night, grabbing his fifth victory of the season in addition to remaining undefeated in goal. Now third in the NHL in wins, Bishop has undoubtedly secured the position of starting goaltender going forward.
Prior to the start of the season, it was thought that Lightning head coach Jon Cooper would work with a 1A/1B tandem in net and have Bishop and Anders Lindback split time. However, Bishop has now been in goal for each of Tampa Bay’s wins this season, and Lindback has started in both losses. Though neither goalie is entirely responsible for the team’s successes and failures, the player who consistently gives the team the best chance to win will also continue to get the starts.
Right now, Cooper knows that player is Bishop.
“(Bishop) has had less than 50 games of NHL experience. So for him to come in here and do what he’s done in this short period of time is a great sign,” Cooper said. “He gives us a chance to win the game every single night, and that’s what you want in your goaltender.”
For his part, Bishop says that his success is a product of the overall success the team is currently experiencing. The Lightning is fifth in the league in goals per game (3.57 average) despite also being the team with the lowest average shots per game (26.3), indicating a team that makes smart plays and capitalizes on most opportunities.
Though the offense was unable to generate the same type of production seen on Tuesday night against the Kings, it certainly took advantage of the chances it was given. Tyler Johnson opened the scoring with a power play goal nearly six minutes into the game, and Steven Stamkos scored the game-winner off of a wrist shot with 5:04 remaining in regulation. The offense started and ended the game strong, with Bishop providing critical support in-between.
“It’s not just me, it’s the guys in front of me. They’re playing great,” Bishop said. “We win some games 7-2 and then we win games like tonight; you have to win all types of games. Minnesota is a very good team. They were waiting for us to make a mistake and we just didn’t make too many. It’s a great win for us.”
The team-centered mentality was especially apparent against the Wild, a team that boasts one of the NHL’s best goalies. Josh Harding leads all goaltenders in goals against, and he entered the game allowing on average just .94 goals per game. Harding stood firm on six of the Lightning’s seven power plays, and was beat cleanly on the first two goals scored. The third goal, Sami Salo’s first of the season, was scored on an empty net.
Coach Cooper praised Harding’s play this season, especially in the face of adversity. The goaltender has been battling multiple sclerosis since 2012, and has continued on as the Wild’s starter despite his condition.
“He’s quite a story with everything he’s going through, but I’m really impressed with the way he plays. We score when we’re up in a 5-on-4 situation, and then he faces one of the best goal-scorers to ever play the game on a breakaway. Other than that he doesn’t give up anything. He kept them in the game; we just got the big goal late and won.”
The Lightning will face another top goaltender when the Boston Bruins come to town on Saturday night. Tuukka Rask, who has started in each of Boston’s six games this season, held Tampa Bay to just one goal in the team’s season opener two weeks ago. The Lightning will be looking for its sixth win in seven games.
