NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2 against the Penguins

Expected starters for tonight’s Game 2. #PITvsTBL pic.twitter.com/DhlDtEnhJm

— #GoBolts (@TBLightning) May 16, 2016

The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off of a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburg Penguins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. Star goalie Ben Bishop twisted his leg in Game 1 on Friday and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy filled in, allowing the Penguins a single goal. Vasilevskiy and Kristers Gudlevskis were the only two goalies at the optional morning skate, Bishop came later to watch.

Only having a limp after Game 1, Bishop says he’s grateful that his injury was nothing to keep him off the ice to too long.

Vasilevskiy is expected to start tonight for Tampa and Matt Murray for Pittsburg.

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos and defenseman Anton Stralman will also be out in Game 2, but both continue to practice with the team. Stamkos is on blood thinners for a type of Vascular Thoracic Outlet Syndrome near his right collarbone and Stralman suffers from a broken leg. Head coach Jon Cooper says forward Ryan Callahan has done a great job filling in as the team captain for Stamkos. Stralman has been put on a day-by-day watch and is showing great improvements.

In an effort to return to the Stanley Cup finals, Vasilevskiy will have to fill the shoes of starter Ben Bishop. After his performance in Game 1 he has high momentum going into Game 2 as the goalie blocked 25 of the 26 shots from the penguins. Coach Cooper says learning how to gage where the team puts the puck and neutralizing their strategy will give the team a big chance to win.

Game is set for 8pm in Pittsburgh with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN Gainesville 95.3 FM.