When a series is 1-1 in the NHL, the team
that wins Game 3 wins the series 66.7% of the time.
Islanders-Lightning, Game 3. Report said that Jaroslav Halak, Ryan Pulock
and Josh Bailey skated today and that Bailey would play if he was ready per
Coach Capuano. So that meant Ryan Strome
(2 assists in game 1) would sit again. “Sucks,
but there isn't a lot to say. It's an important time at home and the guys that
are in will do the job.” The Lightning haven't
won in regulation in past 9 visits vs Isles (1-7-1). As far as the Islanders
were concerned, they would try and keep it that way. Travis Hamonic and Brian Boyle “collided” at
center ice during warm-ups. It was clear
the Isles weren’t going to allow a repeat of game 2’s performance to happen at
home.
The Islanders came out
with a chip on their shoulder and played with an edge. As if it was pre-written, Josh Bailey (Kulemin & Hamonic) scored at
the 7 minute mark to make it a 1-0 lead and silenced his critics, while breaking
a 21 game scoreless streak. Bailey would
continue to play well in both ends and looked good in his first game back from
injury. Brian Boyle knocked in a puck
with a high stick and even though Tampa celebrated, the "goal" would not
count. Tampa Bay got back on the stat sheet and (Callahan) would net a PPG with just 12 seconds remaining in the
period to even the score at 1-1. The
Lightning would add another at the start of the 2nd period. (Hedman)
scored 8 minutes in to take a 2-1 lead.
Drouin skated into the Isles zone and was met by a solid Thomas Hickey
check, causing him to leave the ice. Nick
Leddy (Clutterbuck & Cizikas) ripped one past Bishop a few minutes later to
tie it at 2-2 for New York.
The Islanders came out in the third and took
the lead again (3-2) after Josh Bailey (Hickey & Prince) scored a PPG for his
second of the game. But just a minute
later, Tampa Bay tied the game at 3-3 off the first playoff goal by
Namestnikov. A Cal Clutterbuck wrister from
the top of the circle beat Bishop to give New York a 4-3 lead with 8 minutes
remaining in regulation. Islanders got some
good chances late, but couldn't convert. With
Drouin back on the ice, Bishop was called to the bench with 2 minutes remaining
and the TBL tied the game (Kutcherov, assists Drouin & Hedman) with 38
seconds remaining and forced overtime. Shots
in regulation, 39-38 Islanders, Greiss 34 of 38, .895Sv%).
In overtime, Brian Boyle layed a shoulder to
the head of Thomas Hickey and broke free to hang by the net uncontested and stuff it in for
a 5-4 Tampa win. Some of the Lightning players, including Drouin, taunted Isles
fans at the glass after the winning goal was scored. Its New York’s first OT loss of these playoffs and a tough one
to take, but it’s far from over.
Capuano spoke after the game on Boyle’s hit
to Hickey, "It’s a direct shot to the head. Probably gonna be suspended
for a game...Whole game shouldn’t come down to that." We don’t know whether or not Thomas Hickey
was injured on the play. Brock Nelson
continued to struggle and was a passive observer on the TBL GWG. He may find himself the odd man out, allowing Ryan
Strome to get back in the lineup for game 4. de Haan struggled and the Isles had a few defensive miscues late in the
game and surrendered 3 leads in regulation. To make it worse, their PP was a
dismal 1 of 4 again.
On the positive side, the 4th line was unreal
tonight. Their physicality and offensive
contributions have been immeasurable this year, especially in big games. Thomas Greiss (37 of 41 with a .902Sv%) was
good yet again, but the real story as we all know was Josh Bailey. Isles twitter went berserk with the announcement
of Bailey’s imminent return this morning.
Many, including me do not get some of Capuano’s moves, like his insistence
to play Bailey while a Ryan Strome would sit.
But credit the head coach, he has gotten better reading pulse of his
team and has been an asset behind the bench.
Josh Bailey had 2 goals tonight and played well enough to be awarded 1st
star of the night. He is my Grail Knight
of the game.
Per Jack Capuano, "We're one of 8 teams
still playing now for a reason. We play hard. We're resilient." Series is 2-1 Lightning. Game 4 is Friday in Brooklyn at 7 pm.
Isles Notes:
Islander’s game 3 was a sellout. 4th consecutive
playoff sellout and 12 consecutive home sellout from regular season.
The New York Islanders signed defenseman
Parker Wotherspoon to a three-year, entry-level contract.
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