Lightning optimistic G Bishop will return during Eastern Conf. finals

— -- TAMPA, Fla. -- Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper is optimistic star goaltender Ben Bishop will again play in the Eastern Conference finals even though he will miss Game 3 and has yet to practice with his teammates since being injured early in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1 following Pittsburgh's 3-2 overtime victory over Tampa on Monday night in Pittsburgh. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Tampa on Wednesday and Friday.

Cooper told reporters that Bishop won't play Wednesday, but he's hopeful that Bishop will practice with the team Thursday. Bishop skated on his own with his pads on Wednesday.

Bishop fell awkwardly in his crease and was taken off the ice on a stretcher midway through the first period in Game 1 and replaced by Andrei Vasilevskiy, who earned a 3-1 victory Friday and took the loss on Monday, although he was excellent stopping 38 of 41 Pittsburgh shots. Bishop did not dress for Game 2 and has not practiced with his teammates since the injury.

X-rays came back negative and Bishop, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, has been around the team working out and did go for a skate on Sunday.

With the two teams playing every other day now until the end of the series it does create some challenges in getting Bishop back, Cooper acknowledged.

"I think when you're playing every other day it's tougher for anybody to come back," Cooper said. "But ultimately whether it's one day, two days or three days, if he's ready to go he's ready to go and I don't think an extra day is going to help out. He's making progress everyday so hopefully you'll see him soon."

The coach did not provide any substantive update on forward Ryan Callahan who missed Game 2 with the flu.

Asked if he was optimistic about Callahan's return to the lineup Cooper said only; "I'm always optimistic."

ESPN's Joe McDonald contributed to this report.