Nikita Kucherov continues to dazzle the league with his skills which helped the Lightning start the road trip with a win in Long Island. A playoff berth was possible, but the team would need some help for that to happen. Besides that, a win would make the Lightning a point away from tying the Maple Leafs for the division lead. Jake Guentzel would reach 300 career assists, and the road trip began where the homestead left off. With Darren Raddysh back in the lineup Jon Cooper decided to go with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen.
Attempting to fire up the squad
To begin, Lightning did a great job keeping the puck out of their zone. Then, Islanders continuously iced the puck giving Tampa Bay more time to try and score. Islanders nearly scored on one of their first chances of the night, but Nick Perbix was able to help Andrei Vasilevskiy keep the puck out. Soon after, Lightning nearly scored on a high danger shot that Ilya Sorokin was able to save. Afterwards, Mitchell Chaffee was ready to drop the gloves with Kyle Palmieri, but no fight was initiated. Instead, both players were sent off for rouging and 4-on-4 hockey was played.
Scoring first is always important
The penalties woke up the Islanders as they played with more energy than they did at the start. Vasy remained calm in net and was able to keep the game scoreless. However, Bolts kept the aggression goring and would strike first. A shot by Raddysh was tipped by Oliver Bjorkstrand and went in to give Tampa the 1-0 lead. Toronto would review the goal for a potential high stick, but the goal was confirmed after review.
Perfect placement ☑️ pic.twitter.com/TtKb3RCyQt
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 2, 2025
Giving up a goal short-handed
Following the goal, Lightning went on the power play looking to add to their lead. Instead, Islanders scored short-handed and tied the game 1-1. Bo Horvat took advantage of a breakaway and that allowed the Islanders to get a prime chance that led to the goal. Up until that point the Lightning were playing well and later would surrender a penalty. Brandon Hagel was booked for slashing, and the Islanders went on the power play with 5:13 left in the period. On the power play the Islanders surrendered a penalty giving the Bolts another chance on the man advantage. Period would end with the score remaining 1-1.
Cannot escape the penalty box
Second period began with both teams keeping the aggression going on offense. Goalies had to remain poised in net to withstand the rushes. Islanders would get their third power play after Emil Lilleberg is called for holding. Islanders were playing as the better team to start the period and were hoping to take the lead. Unfortunately, J.J. Moser was called for tripping extending the power play for New York. Both penalties were killed off and the score remained 1-1.
Kucherov takes command
The game would not be tied for long, and Tampa would take over in a short amount of time. Both goals scored by the Lightning were thanks to the hot hands of Kucherov. For the first goal, he set up Guenztel for the open-net and take the 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Kucherov set up a snapshot for Victor Hedman which extended the lead 3-1. Play on the ice would calm down until the end of the period. After the whistle blew to end the second, Anthony Cirelli was called for tripping giving the Islanders another power play.
Doesn't get much better than this 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6N0LeZxIh9
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 2, 2025
Power play is not a factor
Starting off, the Islanders began the third on the power play, but it would not last long. Their captain, Anders Lee was called for slashing which negated the crucial man advantage for the Islanders. After numerous power plays for the Islanders the Lightning would get another opportunity on the power play. The trend for tonight for both teams was not scoring on the power play and that continued in the third period. Regardless, Tampa Bay still had the 3-1 lead with nearly half the period gone by.
Winning ways are here to stay
Half the period gone by and nothing really changed on the ice. Tampa maintained a great rhythm of keeping possession without giving the Islanders chances to score. To excite the crowd Yanni Gourde and Casey Cizikas drop the gloves and are sent off for fighting. With 3:58 to go Sorokin is pulled and it’s an early empty net for the Islanders. Nick Paul scored on the empty net and extended the lead 4-1. That would be the final score and give the Lightning a fourth straight victory and trail the Maple Leafs by a point for a share of the division lead.
First one as a dad 👏 https://t.co/fLFhVkWwbv pic.twitter.com/hg3o38nRUi
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 2, 2025
Three stars of the game
1st star: Nikita Kucherov – 2 assists
2nd star: Jake Guentzel – 1 goal and 1 assist
3rd star: Andrei Vasilevskiy – Saved 28 of 29 shots faced
