New York Islanders resilient in Game 3 victory over Tampa Bay Lightning

The New York Islanders needed to win Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and thanks to a strong effort, they did.

The New York Islanders were in a bad spot in their series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After getting blown out in Game One 8-2, and then losing with 8.8 seconds to go in regulation in Game Two. Backed by the play of Semyon Varlamov and a late goal by Brock Nelson, the Islanders were able to weather the storm and take Game 3.

Both teams would be missing key players in this one, as the Lightning were without their top center and leading scorer Brayden Point, as well as Alex Killorn, who was suspended for one game following his major boarding penalty against Brock Nelson in Game 2. The Islanders would be without their fourth-line center Casey Cizikas.

But as the saying goes “the show must go on”. In the first period, this fourth line, now with Jean-Gabriel Pageau centering Matt Martin and Cal Clutterbuck, would get their team on the board first.

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While Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy was complaining to the referee following an issue with his pad, looking for a whistle, the Islanders would keep playing. Seconds later, Clutterbuck picked up a loose puck and scored high blocker side.

Minutes later, as the first period was winding down, the Lightning exposed a failed coverage by the Islanders, as Yanni Gourde fed Mikhail Sergachev in the slot, who made a nice move, scoring on the backhand, high glove side.

The Islanders had the ability to clear the zone, with both Andy Greene and Martin on the puck carrier, but their failure allowed this play to unfold.

In the second period, which was dominated by the Lightning, the Islanders were able to score twice, heading to the third with a 3-1 lead.

The first goal coming off the stick of Adam Pelech was due to a tic-tac-toe passing play . Matt Barzal was able to create a little space at the blue line, before dishing it to Pageau, who touched it to his defenseman. Pelech would make no mistake beating Vasilevskiy glove side for his first career playoff goal.

Exactly two minutes later,  Nelson would make an incredible forehand to backhand move as he cut across the slot and then behind the Lightning net. With Tampa out of position, including Vasilevskiy who dropped following the move thinking there would be a potential shot, Nelson found Anthony Beauvillier who one-timed it under the right arm of the Lightning netminder.

But this Lightning team never quits, as in the third they were able to tie this game up. After Jordan Eberle took a holding penalty in the offensive zone, Ondrej Palat would finish off a nice passing play on the powerplay to cut the Islanders’ lead from 3-2.

The seam pass by Sergachev was brilliant, as Nikita Kucherov saw two men wide-open in front and put the puck in the perfect spot. With 7:56 to go in the third, Tyler Johnson deflected an Erik Cernak point-shot past Varlamov to knot this game at three. The goal would be reviewed for high-sticking, but after the quick review, the goal would count.

As Islanders fans started getting nervous, as Game Two’s loss was still fresh in their minds, the Islanders were the ones who were able to score late.

After a terrible turnover by the Lightning in their own zone, the Islanders were able to capitalize. A beautiful pass by Beauvillier found Nelson wide open, who made no mistake beating Vasilevskiy high blocker side to give the Islanders a 4-3 lead with 3:25 to go in the final frame.

No, I am not a mind reader, but I had a feeling Beauvillier would have a good game tonight. He would finish with a goal and a huge assist, the one above to help break out of his slump.

With Vasilevskiy on the bench, Pageau would score the empty-netter at 19:24. A brawl would ensue following the goal, as Kucherov with an extra wack after failing to catch Pageau on the semi-breakaway.

With 28 seconds to play, Martin would drop the gloves with Barclay Goodrow, revenge for his dirty cross-check on Nelson back in Game Two. Let’s just say it did not go as planned for the man in white.

It was not the prettiest of games, but the Islanders showed resiliency, finding a way to get the job done. While the series is still 2-1 in favor of Tampa, the Islanders showcased that this series is far from over.

The team from the island will look to even up the series when the puck drops for Game Four on Sunday at 3:00 PM.