New York continued to be unkind to the Lightning after being dominated by the Islanders in a forgettable 6-2 loss. Whether it was the lack of shots on goal or the misplays on defense tonight was a night to forget. Coughing up numerous penalties did not help the cause in a game where nothing seemed to go right for the Lightning. One cannot blame playing a back-to-back for the loss as there was a point where a comeback could have been made. Islanders were ready for whatever came their way and punished the Lightning for almost every mistake made.
Giving up the opening goal only to get it back
To begin, 28 seconds into the game Brandon Hagel is called for hooking giving the Islanders a power play to begin the opening minute of the game. Lightning killed off the penalty with ease, but the Islanders continued to apply pressure following the power play. Soon after Noah Dobson fired a puck that looked like it was tipped in by Oliver Wahlstrom went off Erik Cernak instead to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead. Minutes later Nikita Kucherov fired the puck off the face off that went past Ilya Sorokin to tie the game up at 1 a piece. The goal continued Kucherov’s quest for the Hart trophy bringing his points total to 87 points. Afterwards, Islanders again continued to keep the puck in the offensive zone keeping the Lightning defense at work.
Who else but Kuch? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/sNtAanReCy
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2024
Momentum favors the home team
Islanders went on the power play for a second time after Nick Paul was called for hi sticking. Once again, Lightning killed off the penalty, but Jonas Johansson was well tested unlike the first penalty kill. After an icing and faceoff win, Mathew Barzal fired a backhand shot that went over Johansson’s shoulder to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead. New York has done a great job keeping momentum after a power play which has allowed them to score both goals so far. Late in the period Kyle Palmieri is left alone and scores to extend the Islanders lead 3-1. Lightning were shooting the puck but few are reaching the net and that has to change in the next period. Defense also has to improve in order to keep the game from fully being out of reach. Lightning did get their first power play of the night with 4 seconds to go in the period.
A game changing goal
Lightning began the second period with 1:56 left on the power play. Lightning took advantage of an Islanders penalty kill that ranks last in the league and cut the lead 3-2 thanks to a goal from Hagel. Sorokin has not been needed to make too many saves as Tampa has not had many shots on goal but that changed on the man advantage. Then, New York went on the power play for a third time and looked to make it a two-goal game again. They would do just that as Ryan Pulock scores to give the Islanders a 4-2 lead.
Capitalizing on the power play 👊 pic.twitter.com/K7tVEE9OR2
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 9, 2024
The woes continued
The penalty nearly expired at the time of the goal which made it more unfortunate for the Lightning. The goals after power plays continued for the Islanders with Bo Horvat scoring while Johansson was screened to extend the lead 5-2. Woes for the Bolts continued as they could not generate enough scoring chances to pressure Sorokin while the defense continued to crumble. A turnover by Brandon Point allowed Casey Cizikas to score and make it 6-2 Islanders. Period ended with the score remaining 6-2 in what is a forgettable game for Tampa Bay.
Running out of time
Third period began with play on the ice being much of the same as it has been all night. Tyler Motte is called for slashing with 13:58 to go giving the Islanders their fourth power play of the night. New York has been deadly with the puck following a power play and keeping momentum on their side especially after the Pulock goal. Again, Tampa kills off the penalty and this time the Islanders would not score after the power play expired.
On to the next
Time was ticking for any hopes of the Lightning getting back in the game being down four goals. With 6:26 to go Lightning went on the power play for only the second time tonight. On said power play New York nearly scored short-handed but the shot went over the night. Bolts were unsuccessful on the power play and at this point the game was a lost cause. The woes in New York continued after the Islanders defeated the Lightning by a score of 6-2. Next game for the Lightning is Saturday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Three stars of the night
1st Star: Mathew Barzal – 1 goal and 1 assist
2nd Star: Ilya Sorokin – Saved 18 of 20 shots faced
3rd Star: Bo Horvat – 1 goal and 1 assist
