The Bolts did not get off to the start they wanted in this one but were able to adjust in the final 2 periods. This was a very tightly contested game but Vasy and the Bolts depth showed up when it mattered most. The Islanders could just not stop the Bolts offense when they got going and were not able to capitalize on their big power play opportunities. Let’s see how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to a great start as they quickly jumped on the puck and took some quick shots on goal. The good start quickly faded though as the Islanders pushed back. The Islanders would force a turnover in the Bolts zone and get the puck to Josh Bailey, who put one home for an early 1-0 lead. Nick Leddy would then be called for hooking not long after and give the Bolts the first power play of the night. The Bolts ended their own power play early as they then got called for too many men on the ice making it 4 on 4. The Islanders penalty would then end and they would go on a shortened power play. Vasy and the Bolts PK made sure the Islanders couldn’t go up 2 as they killed off the rest of the penalty. The Bolts then got aggressive looking to tie this game as they crashed net but couldn’t tap one home. Leo Komarov was then called for holding and the Bolts would head to their second power play of the night. However, the Bolts could not get much going and were not able to capitalize keeping the deficit at 1. The Islanders continued to dominate the puck as they grabbed a few more shots on goal but Vasy turned them aside.  The Bolts would not be able to regroup as the Islanders continued to control the puck and take shots on net. Slater Koekkoek was then called for interference and the Bolts would have to be on the PK for the rest of the period.  The Bolts made sure the Islanders did not get any more quality chances as the killed off the penalty just as the horn sounded.

Goals: 1-0 New York

Shots: 16-7 New York

Second Period

The Bolts got off to a much better start in period number 2 as they got more zone time and were much more aggressive when it came to retrieving pucks. The Bolts would keep on pushing as they continued to take shot after shot. It was Mathieu Joseph though who walked past the right circle and rifled one home to tie this game and get his second career goal. The Islanders then tried to quickly push back but Vasy turned them away. It wasn’t long until the Bolts then jumped back on things themselves and looked to take the lead in the second half of this period. The Bolts would do just that as JT Miller slapped one from the point into the back of the net. The Bolts would get another chance on the power play as Anders Lee got called for slashing. The Bolts would get a few more chances but could not capitalize. The Islanders then got 3 huge chances but Vasy said NO as he stopped every one of them and kept the Bolts up by 1. Things then started to calm down and both teams grabbed a few more chances as time began to wind down. The Islanders would get one last chance to tie this game before the end of the period as Girardi would get 2 for interference. The Bolts would kill off over half the penalty before the period ended but it was Paquette who was called for slashing after a stick broke as he tried to poke-check it away. With 43 seconds remaining on the Girardi call, the Islanders would start the third with a short 5 on 3.

Goals: 2-1 Tampa

Shots: 28-18 New York

Third Period

The Bolts would start things off on the penalty kill but were up to the challenge. The Islanders got some good looks but the Bolts killed off both penalties and would regain full strength. After the power play ended the Islanders were able to keep it in and got a few more shots but Vasy once again slammed the door shut. The Bolts would not do themselves any favors though as Johnson was then called for high sticking to send the Bolts right back to the penalty kill. Cirelli then right off the bat stole the puck and went off on a breakaway but just couldn’t lift it home. The Bolts were still able to kill this one off getting their team back to full strength. The Islanders pushed back and they would prevail as Josh Bailey snuck one past Vasy to tie this game at 2. The Bolts then got a big opportunity to take the lead back as Jordan Eberle was called for hooking. the Bolts got a few quality shots but just couldn’t cash in and this one would remain tied at 2. Both teams then ramped up the pressure as they looked to take the lead of this game. Unfortunately for the Bolts Point was then hit hard and shaken up, but he was able to get off on his own power. The Bolts kept on pushing through and as Nikita Kucherov faked a shot he got it right to Johnson who tapped it home to give the Bolts the lead late in the third! The Islanders would pull their goalie for one last chance but it was Steven Stamkos who put the puck into the net to seal the deal!

Goals: 4-2 Tampa

Shots: 37-26 New York

3 Stars

1. JT Miller (1G, 1A)
2. Tyler Johnson (1G)
3. Josh Bailey (2G)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts did not have an ideal start as the Islanders outplayed them by always controlling the puck and outshooting the Bolts. The Boots did a great job of adjusting and it showed in the second period. We have said it before but we’ll say it again the Bolts PK and Vasy were once again stellar killing off multiple penalties and Vasy stopping 37 shots. The Bolts did a great job in the second of jumping on pucks and playing to their advantage at a fast pace when it came to getting pucks on their sticks. The power play was not it’s best tonight but that issue is sure to be addressed moving forward.

The Bolts will look to continue their 4 game winning streak as they take on the Ottawa Senators Saturday, November 10th at 7:00 PM in Amalie Arena.