Lightning won't say if Ben Bishop starts Game 3; goalie feels like Marshawn Lynch

CHICAGO – Ben Bishop apologized to the reporters hanging on his every word, looking for a clue about his Game 3 status on Monday.

“I feel like Marshawn Lynch right now,” he said, referencing the infamously evasive interviews given by the Seattle Seahawks star.

Bishop wouldn’t answer if he was playing in Game 3 in Chicago, only saying “we’ll see.” He wouldn’t comment on if he was injured in Game 2, or if there was another issue.

Here’s what we know: Ben Bishop hit the ice for the Tampa Bay Lightning at their morning skate in Chicago before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. He looked good, unencumbered by injury.

Bishop left the Lightning’s Game 2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks twice in the third period, replaced both times by Andrei Vasilevskiy. The young Russian goalie made five saves and was the goalie of record, having been on the ice when Jason Garrison scored the game-winner.

So was Bishop healthy enough to start Game 3?

Coach Jon Cooper, holding a press conference as the players were on the ice, said he needed to get an assessment from the Lightning’s trainer.

“How many more ways are we going to ask this? I don’t know who’s starting. I’ll find out after this media session,” he said.

Bishop finished on the ice. He saw the trainer. And he still couldn’t reveal if he’d be the Game 3 starter, despite all signs pointing in that direction.

Ah, sweet playoff gamesmanship.

No matter the case, Bishop says he’ll be ready.

“You don’t ever really stop preparing. You’ll be ready no matter what,” said Bishop.

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