The Tampa Bay Lightning dominated most of this one as they struck the Islanders 6-2 to become the first team to reach 40 pts. The Islanders turned over way too many pucks and that was the ultimate reason they lost this game, the Bolts also held the puck in the offensive zone for so long giving them plenty of chances and really tired out the Islanders. Let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts came out flying in this one as just 34 seconds in Ondrej Palat sent a pass across the crease to Brayden Point who put it in the back of the net to make it 1-0 Bolts. This period was all Lightning as they held the puck in the offensive zone for the majority of the period and got off a few great shots. The Bolts also did a great job of holding off the Isles from even entering the zone as it wasn’t until there was 8:31 left in the period that the Isles got their first shot on net. Just over 15 min in the Bolts would get their first power play of the night as Anders Lee would get 2 for slashing. The Bolts wouldn’t be able to capitalize on the power play but just after it ended none other than Andrej Sustr ripped one home to put the Bolts up 2-0.

Goals: 2-0 Lightning

Shots: 11-2 Lightning

Second Period

The Isles slowly started to come back alive in the second getting a few chances. The Isles would get to try and get some momentum back when Point ould head off for tripping. The Isles were able to sustain some good pressure and were rewarded when Isles forward Mathew Barzal would get one behind Vasy to cut the Bolts lead to 1. The Isles continued to build momentum off that goal and they looked much better as the game went on. with just over 10 min left in the second Jordan Eberle was able to slip away as the Isles entered the zone and he rifled one home in the right circle to tie this game at 2. The Isles were now taking over this game and the Bolts started to fall asleep. The game would remain this way until the Bolts would get the seconded chance on the power play as Jason Chimera took a roughing call with just 5 min remaining. As the power play began to wind down Yanni Gourde let a shot go the snuck into the net to make it 3-2. but just a min later Gourde wasn’t done as he flipped around in front of the Isles net to snag a rebound to make it 4-2 Bolts!!! The Bolts would get one last chance on the power play before the period ended as Anders Lee would get his second penalty for tripping. The Bolts wasted no time on this power play as Vladislav Namestnikov put one past Greiss to make it 5-2. The Bolts really turned it back on late in the second and had 3 more goals to show for it.

Goals: 5-2 Lightning

Shots: 24-19 Lightning

Third Period

The Bolts continued their good play from late in the second and continued to hold on to the puck while getting quality chances. 6 min into this one Chris Kunitz wanted to join in on the scoring parade as he did just that as he lifted one by Greiss to make it 6-2 Bolts. The Bolts would take a too many men on the ice penalty but the Isles could not capitalize and it remained a 6-2 Game. The Bolts would also get another chance on the power play when Brock Nelson took a cross checking call but the Bolts had no dice on this one. The score would remain the same as the clock hit zeros which meant another Bolt’s Victory.

Goals: 6-2 Lightning

Shots 34-31 Lightning

3 Stars

1. Yanni Gourde
2. Chris Kunitz
3. Nikita Kucherov

Up Next

The Bolts will once again look to continue this homestand with another win as they are set to take on the Colorado Avalanche Thursday, December 7th, at 7:30PM.