On Sunday night, it was indeed Tavares who scored the goal that tied Game 6 against the Panthers in the final minute of regulation, and it was indeed Tavares who scored the series-clinching goal 10:41 into the second overtime, lifting NY to a 2-1 win.
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On the other hand, the Lightning are playing after a long layoff after they finished their first round series early against the Detroit Red Wings. Given a third chance with a man-advantage, the Islanders struck with Tavares to make it 4-1. Playoff History The only time these teams met in the playoffs, Tampa Bay beat NY in five games in the first round in 2004.
Steven Stamkos is serving as an inspiration for the Tampa Bay Lightning as the defending Eastern Conference champions attempt to make a deep playoff run without him. The playoffs has just become a wild ride. Of the four non empty-net goals scored by the Islanders, two were shots that Bishop normally stops.
Series Overview: This should be a tightly-contested series between a battle-tested Lightning group and a hungry Islanders club.
Stamkos said he takes blood thinners once every 12 hours and said that as soon as he gets off the medication he would be ready to return after the final dosage clears his system.
The Lightning were outshot throughout the series with the Red Wings, and that’s not about to change. They only managed five shots on goal.
Tampa player to watch: Jonathan Drouin demanded a trade. On the defensive side, with Stralman absent, it will be on Victor Hedman to continue to log heavy minutes.
The prayers of New York Islanders fans everywhere were finally answered. The Lightning come in with nearly a week of rest after dispatching of Detroit in five games as Nikita Kucherov registered five goals and three assists while Ben Bishop posted a.950 save percentage. Kyle Okposo tops in assists with 5 while Matt Martin heads in penalty minutes with 8.
While the Lightning had almost a weeks rest after eliminating Detroit, the Islanders have a quick turnaround after advancing with a double overtime victory Sunday night. Thomas Greiss has allowed 16 goals on 270 shots faced.
Power play: Season – Lightning 15.8% (28th); Islanders 18.3% (17th). Greiss is right behind him, ranking fourth.
Who knows what’s going to happen now.
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While Tavares was absolutely brilliant against the Florida Panthers in round one, the Isles were plagued by their inability to find the back of the net. The Lightning’s’ injuries are certainly a concern and one that could hinder them from taking out an Islanders team that has a Cinderella feel attached to it. He set up both of Prince’s goals on gorgeous passes, and even though Tampa Bay was set up in their practice defense at the time, it still doesn’t guarantee success. “You definitely don’t want to be a distraction in the playoffs”, Stamkos said in his first public comments since surgery.
