The NHL Redux: Ben Bishop, and why goalies are committed to their own cause
The position is insular by trade.
For a goaltender, an atypical mindset is often compulsory, but in approaching the NHL level, their typically unique creed only diverts further from that of his teammates.
It's no longer about simply stopping pucks; goalies who dream of starring must be solitary beings, selfish in nature, alone on a chilly little island painted light blue.
Reigning Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop took the winding road to the NHL and now finds himself backstopping arguably the Eastern Conference's best team, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Like many others, Bishop required a series of fortunate circumstances (including a carpet rolled out for Sarah Palin and Craig Anderson's poor knife skills) to become a leader in his field, but his fate could have just as easily been undercut by misguided allegiance.
"There are only 30 jobs in the whole world to be a starting goalie in the NHL," Bishop told theScore. "When I was in Peoria (in 2011-12), I wasn't playing to be called up by St. Louis, I was playing for 29 other teams that might need a goalie."
While that may contradict the spirit of both club and sport, let's not be disillusioned ourselves; Bishop is of the salt-of-the-earth variety. This is just how goaltenders need to carry themselves in order to survive in their habitat.
The position requires seasoning. They're rarely afforded the luxury of playing through rookie hardship and find no shelter on a fourth line. In today's NHL, goaltenders must ride the bus before driving it.
Bishop's mettle was tested in a way unique to most. He was drafted and began his professional career with the St. Louis Blues - the team he grew up cheering for and whose alumni coached him in his rise through Missouri's minor hockey system. Fortunately for Bishop, he was able to shoot down any romanticizing thoughts as soon as they crept into his mind.
"I was very blessed to have a chance to play for my home team. It’s a childhood dream to play for the team you grew up rooting for and I was able to do that, but things didn't work out the way you think it might and in the long run it really worked out for the best," Bishop said.
"It’s tough to be a goalie and try to come up in your own market. There are a lot of distractions. I think getting out of there and going to Ottawa, playing up there a little bit, not having the distractions of family and friends while you’re trying to get your feet wet makes it a lot easier."
Born in Colorado, raised in Missouri, starred in Texas and schooled in Maine, Bishop appears to have finally set his roots in a hockey market he believes is most revered in the NHL today.
But ironically, it's a goaltender at the opposite end of his career who in the last few weeks, found salvage where Bishop couldn't. With two wins in his first three games, Martin Brodeur - who left the New Jersey Devils after accumulating an NHL-record 688 wins over 21 seasons - is back on track to reach 700 for his career as he trudges along in St. Louis.
Despite blazing divergent trails, Bishop and Brodeur can both illustrate the fickleness of their chosen profession and share the unyielding commitment required to counter it.
In the life of an NHL netminder, home isn't where you were born or with the club you served for more than two decades.
It's wherever they'll have you.
The Next 48
Nashville Predators at San Jose Sharks: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Sharks aren't going down easy.
If they can make it seven wins in eight tries Saturday night, San Jose will move to within just two points of the Predators, who held the Western Conference lead to begin the month.
The Sharks' top guns of Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau have combined for 22 points in their recent seven-game surge, while the Predators continue to chug along, posting wins despite slipping from their Central Division perch.
In any case, this represents a statement game for the winner. The Sharks have an opportunity to break into the Pacific Division's top three while Nashville gets another chance to dig in its heels.
Los Angeles Kings at Toronto Maple Leafs: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET
The Kings and Maple Leafs - inked by an infamous conference finals and a more-recent trade involving a certain Toronto goaltender - will meet for just the fourth time since Los Angeles won their first Stanley Cup in 2011.
Both teams will be in tough with Los Angeles visiting Montreal and Toronto hosting Detroit before their meeting Sunday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre.
It remains to be seen who will start in net for Toronto, but if Jonathan Bernier gets a chance to improve on his disappointing first showing against his former club, he'll have to hope James Reimer's performance against the Red Wings was good enough to earn a second straight start.
Reimer was brilliant in the second half of a mid-week back-to-back, stopping 41 shots in a win over the Red Wings, and has been effective in that role all season. The Maple Leafs are 4-1-1 in the second game of a back-to-back, and will have a chance to build on that Sunday.
The Pylon
Ryan Garbutt is a stain.
The Dallas Stars forward is guilty of leaping at the head of Dustin Penner, spearing Corey Perry, driving his knee into the thigh of Taylor Hall, concussing Mike Weaver and - after taking out Michael Hutchinson - committed the most egregious slew-foot of its kind Tuesday on Dustin Byfuglien.
All that in a span of 13 months. Go away, dude.
Parting shots
1) Whereas many teams fear California, the state dreads the trip to Buffalo. After shutting out the Kings on Tuesday, the Sabres improved their home-ice streak to 10-1 against Los Angeles, and haven't lost to San Jose at home since 2005.
2) From one record involving California teams that won't last to another, the Ducks haven't lost in regulation in 20 one-goal games this season, improving to 15-0-5 in a win over Edmonton this week.
3) Olli Jokinen has two goals for the Predators this season: one in an empty net and one clearly kicked in Thursday night. He's compiling one helluva scoring tape.
4) Erik Karlsson said goodbye to his coach by recording a season-high 23 shot attempts Sunday, six more than Alex Ovechkin's previous high.
5) Speaking of the now-unemployed Paul MacLean, here's hoping his relationship with the NHL isn't like that other Taylor Swift song. You know, the one about never, ever, ever getting back together.
6) Bruins with Zdeno Chara: 4-6. Bruins without Chara: 11-7-1.
7) David Clarkson recorded his first multi-point game with the Maple Leafs in his 86th opportunity.
8) More impressive start to their career? Scott Darling is 5-1 with just 11 goals allowed for the Blackhawks, while Jets backstop Michael Hutchinson is 6-1-2 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .941 save percentage.
9) That's 70's Line has made like the show and jumped the shark. After racking up 16 goals in their first eight games, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson have combined for only 12 since.
10) Tyler Johnson could be the most underrated set-up man in the game. The Lightning forward is tied for the league-lead in even strength points and has a league-best 12 first assists.