Tuesday, May 3, 2016

2016 Playoffs, Lightning Game 3: Barely



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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