The New York Islanders are trailing in a playoff series for the first time this season, as the Tampa Bay Lightning took a 2-1 series lead with Tuesday night’s overtime victory.
TheNew York Islandershad their hearts broken in Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the Lightning won the game 5-4 in overtime. With the victory, the Lightning not only regained control with a 2-1 series lead, but have also gotten home ice back in the process.
It was a back-and-forth game throughout between the Islanders and Lightning, but the Islanders were unable to finish periods strong. The Islanders would score first, taking a 1-0 lead off aJosh Baileygoal 7:55 into the game. The Islanders looked like they were going to head into the first intermission with a lead, butRyan Callahanscored his first goal of the postseason with 13 seconds remaining on the power play.
Instead of going into the second period with the momentum, it was the Lightning who had it. They carried it through the period, taking a 2-1 lead whenVictor Hedmanscored his second goal of the postseason with 8:10 gone in the period. The Islanders would tie the game up a couple of minutes later, asNick Leddylit the lamp for the first time this postseason.
The Islanders would regain the lead in the third period, finally cashing in the power play. After starting the game 0-for-4 on the power play, the Islanders finally came through in the third period, as Josh Bailey broke the tie with his second goal of the postseason.
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The lead would not last long, asVladislav Namestnikovscored 58 seconds later to tie the game back up at three. The game would remain tied for almost another eight minutes untilCal Clutterbuckcame through with his second goal of the postseason to put the Islanders back ahead, 4-3.
The Islanders looked poised to take a 2-1 series lead, but once again crumbled in the final moments of a period.Nikita Kucherovscored his seventh goal of the postseason with only 39 seconds remaining in the game to force overtime.
Overtime would not last long, asBrian Boylescored 2:48 into the period to send the fans at the Barclays Center home disappointed. The Islanders didn’t even get a shot off in overtime, as the Lightning attempted all three shots of the overtime period.Thomas Greisstook the loss tonight, as he made 36 saves on 41 shot attempts.Ben Bishopgot the victory, making 35 saves on 39 shots.
Next: New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning 5 Predictions
The Islanders will now have to prepare for Game 4, which is essentially a must win game as they look to avoid the dreaded 3-1 series hole. Game 4 will be played at Barclays Center on Friday at 7:00 PM ET.
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