Lightning's Vasilevskiy will start vs. Wild; Bishop to back up

The Tampa Bay Lightning will turn to Andrei Vasilevskiy in net for Saturday's tilt with the Minnesota Wild.

After leaving Friday's practice early, Ben Bishop was able to participate in the morning skate and will serve as backup, following making the team's last six starts.

Head coach Jon Cooper said Bishop's status didn't affect the decision to start the youngster, and there are no concerns about his regular starter's health.

"I know people are sitting there thinking, 'Oh well, Bish left practice yesterday. That's why Vasilevskiy's playing.' That's not why Vasy's playing," Cooper said. "He was playing regardless tonight. That was in the plan. And then we go out west, we've got back-to-backs in there and stuff like that so we need him ready to play games."

Vasilevskiy has posted a record of 3-4-0 in eight appearances this season, with a save percentage of .907.

Tampa Bay will embark on a four-game road trip beginning Tuesday in Calgary.

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