A well-rested Tampa Bay Lightning faced off against a plucky underdog in the New York Islanders. The rest-versus-rust debate was settled after the Lightning blowout in Game 1, while the rest of the series was - for the most part - closer than expected. It may have taken a few games more than they would have liked, but the Tampa Bay Lightning got by the New York Islanders in six games, earning a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
Games
New York Islanders - 2
Tampa Bay Lightning - 8
It didn't take long for the Lighting to get on the board, as a minute in Brayden Point's power move at the net led to him reaching past Thomas Greiss and sliding the puck into the net. A powerplay minutes later helped the Islanders tie the game. Matt Barzal's shot was block (by teammate Anders Lee), but Jordan Eberle managed to fish out the loose puck and put it past Andrei Vasilevskiy. Tampa Bay would get a powerplay goal of their own four minutes later, as Victor Hedman blasted one by the blocker of Greiss. Tampa Bay's defense kept up it's offense, as Ryan McDonagh beat a screened Greiss moments later to extend the Lightning's lead. Early in the second, Patrick Maroon would skate around Semyon Varlamov and tried to pass it out front. Yanni Gourde was there for the loose puck, but it initially looked like Andy Greene got his stick in the way of a sure goal. Play went on for about 15 seconds before the horn of doom sounded, as the play was reviewed. It was determined the puck fully went in before being knocked out by Greene's stick. Gourde was given the goal as Tampa Bay was now up 4-1. Later in the period, a powerplay led to the big three for Tampa Bay (Nikita Kucherov, Hedman, and Point) connecting for a goal. Tampa kept up the scoring in the third. Just under six minutes in, Point and Kucherov went in on a 2-on-2 rush, resulting in Kucherov redirecting Points pass into the Islanders net. New York did one back minutes later, as Nick Leddy snapped one past the glove of Vasilevskiy. Just a minute later, a turnover in the Islanders zone resulted in another Lightning goal, as Ondrej Palat got around Varlamov and tucked it into the net. Yanni Gourde capped off the scoring for Tampa Bay later in the period, getting his second of the game on a powerplay. The game was never in doubt for the Lightning, as they blow out the Islander 8-2 to take the first game.
New York Islanders - 1
Tampa Bay Lightning - 2
New York looked to put the last game behind them, and a quick goal to start the game help them do just that. Matt Martin chipped the puck over the shoulder of Vasilevskiy to give the Islanders their first lead of the series. About six minutes in, Tampa Bay would lose Alex Killorn for the game, as he was given a five-and-a-game for boarding Brock Nelson. The Islanders couldn't do much on the five minute powerplay though, as the game remained 1-0. It sayed that way until late in the first, when Tampa Bay won an offensive zone faceoff back to Hedman. The Lightning defender didn't take long to got a shot off, as it found its way through a mass of bodies, hit the post, and bounced into the net to tie the game. Things got rougher in the second, starting with Martin and Luke Schenn getting into a fight. Minutes later, Gourde was penalized for punching Scott Mayfield. Nelson returned to the game, but was hit and cross-checked by Barclay Goodrow. This led to Martin and Pat Maroon getting into a shoving match. Things were a little more peaceful in the third, as both teams continued to look a for a go-ahead goal. As the third period was coming to a close, Tampa Bay put on the pressure. Eventually, McDonagh found Kucherov with a cross-ice pass, and Kucherov connected on it. Varlamov wasn't able to stop it, as the puck enter the Islanders net. The goal with just over eight seconds left sealed the victory for Tampa Bay, as they take a two game series lead.
Tampa Bay Lightning - 3
New York Islanders - 5
Both teams came out firing in this one, but it took a little longer for one of them to open the scoring. Midway through the first, Cal Clutterbuck took a loose puck and shot it between the post and Vasilevskiy's blocker to give New York the lead. The lead didn't last too long, as less than four minutes later, Mikhail Sergachev lifted a backhand over Varlamov to tie the game. This time, it was the Islanders getting the go-ahead goal. Midway through the second, a quick passing play resulted in Adam Pelech getting the puck. The Islander defenseman proceeded to snap a shot under the glove of Vasilevskiy to give New York the lead. The play wasn't over though, as a battle in front of the net saw Lee and Cedric Paquette get sent off for roughing. Two minutes later, Nelson circled the Lighting net and fed Anthony Beauvillier in the slot, whose quick shot snuck past Vasilevskiy. Now down two, Tampa Bay looked to crawl back in this one. They got a break with a powerplay early in the third, as Palat redirected Kucherov's pass into the Islanders net. Ten minutes later, Tyler Johnson deflected Erik Cernak's point shot past Varlamov to tie the game. New York managed to retake the lead minutes later, as this time it was Beauvillier finding Nelson with a pass that the latter put into the net. J-G Pageau added in empty netter late in the period, which also saw Sergachev hack Pageau's leg in the during the play. Once the goal was scored a scrum ensued, resulting in a handful of misconduct penalties (Pageau and Sergachev being two of them). Seconds later, Martin and Goodrow capped off the night with a fight. The game ended with the Islanders winning 5-2, giving them their first win of the series.
Tampa Bay Lightning - 4
New York Islanders - 1
The Lightning looked to correct things from last game, but even with the shot advantage, could not get anything by Varlamov in the first. The ending of the first wasn't a friendly though, as a shot after the buzzer by Martin resulted in both teams getting into a scrum. Things would pick up in the second, as midway through the period, Nelson snapped one over the glove of Vasilevskiy to open the scoring. The Islanders lead would last all of 15 second, as Blake Coleman was sprung on a breakaway, deked out Varlamov, and tucked it into the Islanders net. Just 12 seconds after that, the Lightning took the lead. Palat took Kucherov's pass in the slot and fired it on net, and while Varlamov got a piece of it, the puck still found its way past the post and into the net. Both teams swapped powerplays later in the period, but neither manage to make much of them. Early in the third, it was Palat's time to set up a goal. The Lightning forward would feed Point in the Islanders crease, as all Point needed to do was redirect the pass into the net. New York's efforts to get back into it would fall short. Patrick Maroon added an empty netter to finish it off, as Tampa Bay took the game 4-1, and became one game closer to a spot in the Final.
New York Islanders - 2 (2OT)
Tampa Bay Lightning - 1
The start was slower in this one, neither team getting anything of quality early. A powerplay later in the period did open things up for the Islanders, as Ryan Pulock's one-timer found the back of the Lighting net. Tampa Bay's responded early in the second period. Coleman's initial shot would be stopped, but a trialing Hedman pounced on the rebound and blast it past Varlamov to tie the game. Carter Verhaeghe looked to have put the Lightning in the lead halfway though the second, snapping it over Varlamov. A challenge by the Islanders begged to differ, as a review showed the play was offside. The go-ahead goal was negating, as the game stayed tied at one each. Tampa Bay had a chance to once again in a game in the dying minutes, as Beauvillier was given a double-minor for high sticking with about a minute-and-a-half left in regulation. Their powerplay couldn't get much going though, as regulation came to a close. For the first time this series, overtime was needed. Still on the powerplay, Kucherov did get an early chance for the Lighting, but Varlamov managed to get his pad in the way. For the extra 20 minutes, the four shots each team managed did not get past the goal line. A second overtime was required. Once again, it was Kucherov getting an early chance, but the Lightning forward would be stifled by the post this time. Later in the period, a turnover at the Islanders blueline ended up being costly for the Lighting. Lee would take the puck and skate down on a 2-on-1. He passed it over to Eberle, whose one-timer beat a sliding Vasilevskiy for the win. The 2-1 win kept the Islanders in the series, and helped them extend it at least one more game.
Tampa Bay Lightning - 2 (OT)
New York Islanders - 1
The Islanders didn't take as long to get on the board this time. Just over four minutes in, some sustained pressure in the Lighting zone led to Devon Toews getting the puck and being able to put home a wraparound attempt. Two minutes later, it was Hedman responding for Tampa Bay. The Lighting defender once again capitalized on a rebound, snapping it past the blocker of Varlamov. Much like last game, once it was tied it would stay that way for a while. Tampa Bay had control of the shot counter during regulation, as they were eager to put the series away. For the second game in a row, overtime was required. The Lightning would start the extra frame on the powerplay, as late in the third Greene was called for double-minor high stick on Kucherov. The Lighting could not capitalize on the extended man advantage though. It might have been New York who had the best chance during that time, as Nelson caused a turnover and went in on a breakaway. Vasilevskiy stood tall though and made the save. The Islanders got a powerplay of their own later in overtime, but failed to score on it. It took just over 13 minutes, but the Lightning would get the winning goal. Cirelli too a feed from Goodrow in front of the net and snapped it over the shoulder of Varlamov. The win was Tampa Bay's fourth of the series, as they move on to the Stanley Cup Final.
Three Thoughts on the Series
- Have to give credit to the Islanders for making it this far. I know their style of hockey isn't very entertaining, but damn if it doesn't work for them.
- Vasilevskiy angling for that Pull-Ups endorsement.
- Varly shooting meme. That is all.
Picture of the Series
Prince of Wales Trophy Family Portrait (Steven Stamkos Sighting!)
Highlight of the Series
Lets go with Eberle's overtime goal. Him scoring such a big goal in an Orange and Blue jersey is what we all pictured when he was drafted in 2008 right?
