If you have Friday night plans, I hope you’re ready to clear your schedule… or find a place with a television.The Islanders completed the comeback and forced a game seven. You know what they say. A two goal lead is the most dangerous lead in hockey.
The Tampa Bay Lightning lost Nikita Kucherov after one shift. The injury appeared to have happened after an uncalled cross-check. An unfinished check on Islander’s Mat Barzal sealed the deal and sent the star down the tunnel.
Tampa was first to strike. Brayden Point extended his goal streak to 9 games. Anthony Cirelli extended the lead in the second period. The Islanders wouldn’t have to worry about seeing a second straight shutout thanks to Jordan Eberle notching New York’s first goal. The New York Islanders power play failed to capitalize on three opportunities. It’s not about Tampa’s penalty kill being that good. It’s about the power play being that bad.
Scott Mayfield has been a thorn in the Lightning’s side just about all series. He would prove to be an even bigger one after he tied the game a little over halfway through the final frame. Matt Martin irresponsibly high sticked Pat Maroon sent the Bolts to a power play. Things weren’t clicking for the Lightning and the Islanders killed it off.
A turnover from Blake Coleman gave Beauvillier the chance to bury it in the net. Islanders fans started throwing cans and bottles onto the ice. No one knows what it means but it was provocative.
The Islanders outshot the Lightning 28-24. If the Islanders want to make the next step to the Stanley Cup Finals, they need to play that full sixty minutes of hockey game. They are a second period team but that won’t win you the series or a championship. The best option is to continue to shoot the puck and stop taking avoidable penalties. Is this the year that New York finally leaves the conference finals and takes the leap to the finals?
Down the Frozen River 
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