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Although Tampa Bay won Game 3, Lightning coach Jon Cooper cautioned that his team had consistency troubles and they’d need to be better Saturday night if they wanted to win. His words turned out to be prophetic.
The Lightning dominated Game 4 in the first period, but they couldn’t solve Semyon Varlamov in that frame. Then they let up in the second period, allowing the Islanders to bombard Andrei Vasilevskiy over just 20 minutes. The result was that the Islanders had a 3-0 lead going into the third period. Tampa Bay did get back on track in the third period, but it was too little, too late. As Cooper had warned the Lightning, inconsistent play was their downfall last night.
Of course, all isn’t lost for Tampa Bay. Far from it. The series is simply tied at 2-2 now so it very much is up for grabs. If the Lightning can adjust and provide a steady performance in Game 5 then they’ll be putting themselves in a very good position.
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NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 TAMPA BAY 2 (Series tied at 2-2)
Josh Bailey got the scoring started with a goal at 5:30 of the second period. The Islanders forward is up to six goals and 13 points in 16 playoff contests.
Matt Martin netted the game-winning goal. It was his first goals and second point in 16 postseason games.
Cal Clutterbuck and Adam Pelech each assisted on two of the Islanders’ three goals. Clutterbuck has seven points in 16 playoff games now while Pelech is up to four points in 16 playoff contests.
Semyon Varlamov saved 28 of 30 Lightning shots. He’s held Tampa Bay to two or fewer goals in three of the first four games in this series.
Brayden Point contributed a goal for the Lightning. He extended his goal scoring streak to seven games, bringing him up to 12 goals and 16 points in 15 postseason contests.
Andrei Vasilevskiy kicked out 27 of 30 shots last night. He dropped to 10-5 with a 2.19 GAA and .933 save percentage in 15 playoff games.