Islanders Take Game 1 On The Road, Silencing Amalie Arena

The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning met for the first time in nine months. We’re seeing a repeat of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals and both teams look like they’re ready to win. The Islanders would come out on top in game 1 in Tampa 2-1. Ahead of the series, it seemed fair to award both teams with  praise for their physicality, competitiveness, and skill. Discipline would not be among that list as Tampa Bay’s penalty kill did have to come out to play and of course New York’s unruliness from the previous series. One of the biggest takeaways I have from this season of hockey is that both the Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning take a decent amount of penalties. The difference is that Tampa is good enough to win.

In true Tampa Bay fashion, Andrei Vakilveskviy put on a goaltending clinic. He saved 14 shots through the first period. Semyon Varlamov saved 11 shots, not allowing the sneaky lightning to strike. The Islanders power play did strike three times as Barclay Goodrow and Ryan McDonough earned time in the penalty box. New York served a penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct eight seconds into the game. 

Tampa Bay was called for a tripping penalty against Mat Barzal. Though the Islanders could not cash in on that man advantage, they would find themselves in a bit of luck. Josh Bailey fed Barzal a beautiful pass to give the Islanders the lead. Bailey is now tied with postseason points with JG Pageau. Per NHL PR, the Islanders have six goals by defenseman this postseason and are tied with Vegas and Carolinafor the most among all teams.Tampa’s power play made another lackluster appearance when Kyle Palmeiri served a penalty for interference. The Islanders took the 1 goal lead into the final 20. 

Shots remained in the favor of the Islanders 23-20 as the third period began. Varlamov came out making big saves as the Islanders appeared to be losing steam. Ryan Pulock scored the second Islanders goal of the afternoon, rejuvenating the Islanders. It appeared to be a routine shot that Vasy would have saved in any other game.  It appeared that a majority of the air was let out of Tampa’s tires as they attempted to complete the comeback. Halfway through the third period, Varmalov had 26 saves on the day.  A late third period penalty would send Tampa Bay to the power play.Brayden Point cut the deficit in half with a minute remaining. Game 2 is on Tuesday at 8:00pm.