The Tampa Bay Lightning looked to make it four in a row against a New York Islanders team that saw their five game win streak ended by the Montreal Canadiens.
During the Tampa Bay Lightning’s three game winning streak they have outscored their opponents 13-6. So far the Lightning have been playing as advertised, and they’ve done it without Victor Hedman and Ondrej Palat. Without the defending Norris Trophy winner, other Lightning defensemen have stepped up in Hedman’s absence. Tonight they will have yet another challenge as Mathew Barzal and the New York Islanders come to Amalie Arena. Entering tonight’s game the Lightning started this season 7-0-0 against eastern conference teams.
Top two firing on all cylinders
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov were split up for a few games, but since being put back together on the top line they have resumed their dangerous ways. Tuesday against the Oilers both men combined for 11 shots on goal. They also combined for six points (Kucherov 2g – 1a / Stamkos 1g – 2a). That’s the kind of production Lightning fans expected from both men, it just took a couple games to truly get going.
Islanders top line opens scoring
Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey and Anders Lee go their team on the board less than five minutes into the game. After a flurry by the Lightning in the Islanders zone, New York was able to get the puck into the Lightning’s defensive zone. With the puck in front of the net Anton Stralman fell to a knee for a moment trying to get the puck clear, but Bailey had other ideas. He would get a pass from Nelson and bury it past Andrei Vasilevskiy for a 1-0 Islanders lead. After the goal the Islanders would have an extended period of time in the Lightning’s zone.
Joseph ties it up and gets #2
With the way he played in the preseason many knew this was the season 21 year old Mathieu Joseph would finally get a chance at the NHL level. And since game one he has proven that he belongs with the Lightning. Skating the puck into the zone Joseph keep his eyes on Robin Lehner and sniped a shot over his right shoulder to tie the game up 1-1. This is his second goal in four days after scoring his first on November 4th at Ottawa. There is zero doubt Joseph will be yet another young gun for the Bolts with potentially a very promising future.
We think this kid might be pretty good. ????#NYIvsTBL | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/O1DlzWTBr8
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 9, 2018
Miller Time
While in the Isles zone, Steven Stamkos sends a pass to Mikhail Sergachev who threaded a pass to JT Miller above the left faceoff circle. Miller would go right side like Joseph, but his goal was low left. The play was all Sergachev because without that pass being right on the mark Miller wouldn’t of had a chance. And yes that’s the DUH statement of the year, but that’s how beautiful of a pass it was.
Passing perfection.#NYIvsTBL | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/GatqrzapEw
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) November 9, 2018
Lightning start 3rd period two men down
As the clock hit zero heading into the second intermission, the Lightning were going to start the 3rd period down two players. Dan Girardi went to the box at 18:47 for interference, then with no time left Cedric Paquette would get a slashing call. Tampa Bay had a 89.3% penalty kill heading into tonight’s game. They were able to hold off the tenacious Islanders attack to start the period. Shortly after those two penalties would end, Tyler Johnson would get called for high sticking on former Bolt Valterri Filppula. All three penalties were killed off by the Lightning, but not without Vasilevskiy having to flash the pad. The Lightning netminder has an NHL leading .962 save percentage on the penalty kill so far this season.
Bailey gets number two
While at even strength Josh Bailey would get his second of the night to tie up the game at 2-2. Bailey would get a pass to the right of Vasilevskiy and wrist the puck upper left of the net. There was nothing Vasilevskiy could’ve done to stop it as the play went so quick. A few minutes later the Lightning would get their first power play opportunity of the 3rd period. In their first three opportunities with the man advantage they only managed three shots.
Tic tac toe
With 1:26 left in the third and the faceoff in the Isles zone, Yanni Gourde would keep the puck in the zone before passing off to Nikita Kucherov who would dish it to Tyler Johnson for a 3-2 Lightning lead. In a game with beautiful passing by both teams, this will be the passing play/goal of the game. Stamkos would seal the game with a empty netter for a 4-2 Lightning victory. Their four game winning streak is the longest of the season.
Up Next
The Lightning will welcome in the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night 11/10 at 7pm, before heading to the road for a four game trip.
*** 3 Stars of the Game ***
3rd Star – JT Miller: This could be two different players either Miller or Sergachev.
2nd Star – Mathieu Joseph: Tied the game in the second
1st Star – Andrei Vasilevskiy: 35 saves on 37 shots, kept the Lightning in it with timely saves.
