WINNIPEG

Lightning goalie Bishop reports progress, status for Game 5 still uncertain

Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, June 13, 2015 10:29AM CST Last Updated Saturday, June 13, 2015 10:30AM CST

Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop, left, is replaced by goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks in Tampa, Fla., on June 6, 2015. (Chris O'Meara / The Canadian Press)

Text:

TAMPA, Fla. -- Injured Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop said he doesn't know if he'll play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final on Saturday night.

Bishop took part in the morning skate at Amalie Arena and faced shots but offered only small hints as to his status.

"There's progress being made since the beginning," Bishop said. "There's progress being made."

Bishop left Game 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks with an undisclosed injury, started Game 3 and missed Game 4. Bishop skated the morning of Game 4, but Andrei Vasilevskiy played that night.

Coach Jon Cooper and Bishop were set to discuss the situation later Saturday.

"I hope I have a decision to make between him and Andrei," Cooper said during his one-question news conference. "That would be great."

Bishop held court for longer but wasn't terribly forthcoming about how he was feeling. He wouldn't say what health percentage he's at, nor would he answer a hypothetical question about whether he'd play if the game were in an hour.

There is a line between playing through pain and being too injured to play effectively. Bishop laboured through Game 3, but he made stops and got the win.

"You have to do what's best for the team," Bishop said. "This time of year it's all about the team and wins, it's not about personal accolades at all."

Vasilevskiy is already the fourth-youngest goaltender to start a Cup final game, just older than Harry Lumley in 1945, Don Beaupre in 1981 and Patrick Roy in 1986.

Bishop, who rested Thursday and Friday, said it was "terrible" to watch Game 4. But he praised his 20-year-old teammate and expects Vasilevskiy to be more prepared if he starts again.

"He's obviously played some big games, obviously none bigger than the last one," Bishop said. "He comes in with a good resume. You see why he's as good as he is."