The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Wednesday that they expect goalie Ben Bishop to miss three to four weeks with a lower-body injury.
Additionally, the Detroit Red Wings announced that goalie Jimmy Howard has been placed on seven-day injured reserve. The Red Wings commented that Howard would be out “a while”.
Ben Bishop, Jimmy Howard Injured
Official: #TBLightning goaltender Ben Bishop is out 3-4 weeks with a lower-body injury. pic.twitter.com/lDnUwwKxul
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 21, 2016
UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled goaltender Jared Coreau and placed goaltender Jimmy Howard on seven-day injured reserve. pic.twitter.com/aJDJufyMJa
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 21, 2016
Bishop, 30, was injured halfway into the first period of the Lightning’s game against the Red Wings. The injury occurred on an sharp-angle shot where Bishop appeared to make a routine save. Immediately after making the save, however, Bishop could be seen bending over in his crease. He was then able to skate off on his own.
Howard, 32, also left Tuesday’s matchup with an injury sustained early in the 2nd period. Howard’s injury occurred after a scrum in the crease as a Lightning and Red Wings player fell on top of him. Red Wings staff had to help him off the ice.
The injuries were sustained by goalies currently in the midst of completely different seasons.
Bishop, after several years posting good save percentages which has earned him two Vezina Trophy nominations, has struggled so far this season. In 21 starts he’s posted 9 wins and a save percentage of just 0.907.
Howard, on the other hand, is in the midst of a renaissance. In 15 starts he has a stellar 0.934 SV%. Unfortunately for the Red Wings this has only translated to fivewins due to a lack of scoring in the other end of the ice.
For the time being the Lightning will put their trust in Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy, 22, while still being relegated to the backup position by coach Jon Cooper, has done well in his 12 starts as he has posted a SV% of 0.923.
In Detroit, the crease will belong to Petr Mrazek. Mrazek, 24, has looked poised to take the starting job in Motown, but has hit a bit of a roadblock this season. In 17 starts he has 9 wins, but only a 0.899 SV%.
The Lightning and Red Wings have recalled Kristers Gudlevskis and Jared Coreau, respectively.
Main Photo.
