Pivotal game five means you play for your life from start to finish. The Tampa Bay Lightning did just that. They will head back to New York with a 3-2 series lead after an 8-0 win over the Islanders.
The Tampa Bay Lightning had a dominant first period. Captain Steven Stamkos scored less than a minute into the frame. Seymon Varmolv has now allowed five goals in the first five minutes of a game. That number seems high considering how well he has played. Three of those goals come from the previous series against Boston. Yanni Gourde earned his fourth of the season giving the Lightning a 2 goal lead. The goal was unassisted but it was deflected off of Islanders defenseman, Andy Green. The Islanders could not find any luck through the first period. They had just 5 shots on goal while Tampa Bay earned 19. Alex Killorn put the Lightning up 3-0 to end the period.
The Lightning had an odd man rush just about every single shift during the first period. Islanders turnovers and patience allowed the Lightning to have quite the successful first.
TAs most games in the series, the second frame was electric .Ilya Sorokin replaced Varlamov in net. Sorokin received a shot up high and told head coach Barry Trotz he would be staying in. Mat Barzal cross-checked Jan Rutta in the face and was tossed from the game. If you recall, Barzal cross-checked David Krejci last series and it went uncalled. Because he was given a 5 minute major and game misconduct, it will be reviewed by the Department of Player Safety.The Lightning scored another three goals. The Lightning power play would get a chance to shine tonight. While the Islanders served two penalties, Steven Stamkos and Alex Killorn scored. Ondrej Palat scored the only even strength goal of the period.
The Islanders would not be able to fend off the Lightning’s power play as Brayden Point made it 7-0 with his 13th goal of the postseason. Luke Schenn extended the lead, 8 goals to none with eight minutes left in the game. Barclay Goodrow cross checked Casey Cizikas who went down like a ton of bricks.. An obviously frustrated Islanders team attempted to retaliate. The Islanders would not be able to capitalize on the man advantage. Shots were 40-21 Tampa.
Stick taps for the Lightning as Andrei Vasilevskiy and Brayden Point hit milestones. Tonight was Vasy’s 4th career postseason shutout.. Prior to tonight, they all came in elimination games. According to Sportsnet Stats, Brayden Point becomes the second player in NHL postseason history to have a goal streak of more than 7 in a single postseason.
A slice of humble pie was served to the Islanders and their fans after a humiliating performance in game 5. The series goes back to New York where the Islanders would need to do a complete 180 to force a game seven.
Down the Frozen River 
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