Tampa Bay Lightning: 50 Greatest Moments In Franchise History
By Kyle Barber
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
20. Ben Bishop Sets New Franchise Post Season Record
Date: May 29, 2015
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop has become no stranger to setting franchise records for the Tampa Bay Lightning ever since making his way to the team in the later part of the 2012-13 season.
As we previously mentioned, Ben Bishop had already set one record in the 2014-15 season. Bishop would record his 40th win that season with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning’s longtime Atlantic Division rival, the Boston Bruins. This would surpass the previous record of 37 wins, which was set by Bishop himself in the 2013-14 season.
Fortunately for the Tampa Bay Lightning, this is not where Bishop’s contributions, and record setting ways, would end for the season. As the Tampa Bay Lightning made their way deep into the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lightning found themselves face to face with former Lightning captain Martin St. Louis and the New York Rangers.
The Rangers would most certainly test the limits of Ben Bishop’s skill, pushing the Eastern Conference Finals to a seven game series. Unfortunately for the Rangers, it would be a different shade of blue that would be battling the Chicago Blackhawks for the Stanley Cup.
In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Ben Bishop would stop a total of 22 shots on goal from the New York Rangers to backstop the Tampa Bay Lightning to their second Eastern Conference Championship. Not only was this a tremendous achievement for the team as a whole, but it was also an amazing personal achievement for the young Lightning netminder.
With Bishop’s Game 7 shutout of the New York Rangers, Ben Bishop would become one of just three goaltenders in National Hockey League history to ever earn two Game 7 shutouts in a single postseason. Bishop would share this honor with former Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and former Colorado Avalanche goaltender Patrick Roy.
At just 29 years of age, Ben Bishop has many years ahead of him in the National Hockey League. Some may find it hard to believe that Bishop could ever top his current achievements given the fact Bishop has already set the bar so high, but if there is anything we here at Bolts By The Bay knows for sure it is to never underestimate one Ben Bishop. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.
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