The Bolts got off to a terrible start in this one and just couldn’t climb back into things despite tons of chances. The Bolts could just not solve Griess as they failed to get the offense rolling. As for the Islanders, they got off to a fantastic start and did a great job of shutting down the Bolts stars. Greiss also played fantastic as he made some huge saves to keep the Bolts off the scoresheet. The Bolts would, unfortunately, fall to the Islanders in this one 5-1, let’s take a look at how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts didn’t get off to the start they wanted as Cernak was quickly called for high-sticking and would have to head to the penalty kill. The Islanders knew they needed to take advantage of this opportunity and they did just that as Nelson found a rebound and put it past Vasy for a 1-0 lead. The Bolts then tried to respond quickly as Paquette nearly found himself all alone in front of the net but was turned away by Greiss. The Islanders weren’t ready for the Bolts to take control of things just yet though as they pushed back and got the puck on net. Clutterbuck then found the rebound as he was positioned right in front of the net and he tapped it home for a 2-0 lead. The Islanders wanted more though as just 16 seconds later Toews ripped one from the point that completely fooled Vasy and gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead. After a disappointing start, the Bolts would then get an opportunity to start their comeback as Filppula was called for tripping. The Bolts would fail to convert on the power play but did finally get their first shot on net. The Bolts then got a little bit of a surge with some offensive zone time but still couldn’t seem to get anything on net. The Islanders then quickly responded as Barzal stormed down the ice on a breakaway, but Vasy came up with a huge save. The Bolts would then get another power play chance as time winded down with Cizikas getting called for tripping. The Bolts got one great chance with Point in front, but they would not capitalize before the Period ended. The Bolts would head into the locker room down by 3 but would still have 1:35 left on the power play.

Goals: 3-0 New York

Shots: 10-6 New York

Second Period

The Bolts would pick up with 1:35 still to go on the power play as they looked to get on the board. The Bolts would pick up their best chance of the game so far as Kuch rifled one from the right side but was denied by Greiss. The Islanders would successfully kill off the rest of the penalty and get back to full strength. The Bolts seemed to be now playing a lot better but still trailed by 3 with 5 min gone in the second. The Bolts then quickly turned up the heat as they had the best shift of the game taking shot after shot. Greiss was lockdown though as he turned away everything thrown his was and kept the Bolts off the board. Vasy then showed his skills as well with the Islanders putting a shot on net that he turned away despite the net front presence battle in front of him. The Islanders would be the ones to score though as Cizikas found himself all alone on the right side and lifted it past Vasy for a 4-0 lead. The Bolts would get another chance on the power play though as the Islanders would get called for delay of game. The Bolts got chance after chance that where all quality chances but Greiss continued to show his best stuff and shut down the Bolts to kill off the penalty. The Bolts would then finally break the ice as McDonagh fired one from the point and cut the Islanders lead to 3! Time would soon wind down though, and the Bolts would have one more period to tie this game.

Goals: 4-1 New York

Shots: 28-24 Tampa Bay

Third Period

The Bolts picked up things right where they left off as they were able to sustain some consistent pressure early on in the third. The Bolts continued to push and push but could just not catch a break as the Islanders made things difficult by being on them at all times. Time continued to wind down as the Bolts dominated the puck but still could not find the back of the net. Both teams played disciplined as neither side had received a penalty for the first half of the period. The Bolts did not want to wait until the end of the game, so Vasy headed to the bench to give the Bolts the extra skater with over nine minutes to play. The Bolts got two great looks on the net, but the Islanders would clear it out. Vasy then headed back into the net in a rare move by the Bolts. The Bolts would then one again pull Vasy to give the Bolts another chance on the extra attacker with just under 5 min to go. The Bolts would get shot after shot after shot, but they could just not buy a goal. The Islanders would finally get an empty net goal as Bailey put one into the net for a 5-1 lead.

Goals: 5-1 New York

Shots: 39-28 Tampa Bay

3 Stars