Lightning's Ben Bishop: Returns to crease Thursday

Bishop gets the starting nod against the Sabres on Thursday, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reports.

Analysis:

Bishop returns to the Lightning's net after a nine-game absence. It appears coach Jon Cooper wants to ease the 30-year-old back into the lineup, as he's utilizing him versus Buffalo rather than throwing him to the wolves for Friday's matchup with the high-scoring Blue Jackets. Barring any injury setbacks, the netminder figures to be the Bolts' clear No. 1 between the pipes the rest of the way.