New York Islanders narrowly win 3-2 over Tampa Bay Lightning
With the victory of Barry Trotz’s troop, this Stanley Cup semi-final series is now equal to 2 to 2.
Here is a little summary of the meeting.
First, in the first period, the Tampa Bay Lightning came out strong. Indeed, the latter has been the best team on the ice during this period, dominating the Islanders in shots on goal by a score of 11-4. However, none of those shots materialized in goals. while the two teams returned to the locker room tied 0-0.
In the second period, the wind changed sides completely as the New York team led the Lightning in shots on goal by 17-9. However, unlike Tampa Bay, the Islanders had knew how to convert these shots into goals. Indeed, they scored three goals during this period.
Josh Bailey first opened the scoring with a superb shot.
Josh Bailey ???? Shot of the Night #StanleyCup
NHL x @JagermeisterUSA pic.twitter.com/FvQZSrAddQ
— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
With that goal, Josh Bailey became the 12th player in Islanders history to record 50 or more points in the playoffs.
Josh Bailey opened the scoring in Game 4 and is the 12th player to record 50 playoff points with the @NYIslanders (16-34—50 in 68 GP). #StanleyCup #NHLStats: https://t.co/O1rP5ZmTny pic.twitter.com/nZ9ebwtrtW
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 20, 2021
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Subsequently, it was none other than Matthew Barzal who made it 2-0 in favor of New York taking a throw-back from Cal Clutterbuck.
Mat Barzal is there for the rebound! #StanleyCup
????????: https://t.co/M1mXzpAQ7Y @NHLonNBCSports
????????: https://t.co/ePHaNU7gdN @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/hAvlfNmiHt— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
In the end, it was Matt Martin who scored his team’s third unanswered goal before the end of the engagement. Jon Cooper contested the goal believing it to be offside, however to no avail.
Matt Martin (@mattymarts17) makes it 3-0 for the @NYIslanders!
One period to go… #StanleyCup
????????: https://t.co/LcI8Hsqs1r @NHLonNBCSports
????????: https://t.co/0cXuacT6MQ @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/UFIahpp5A4— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
Delayed by three goals at the start of the third period, the Lightning began their comeback.
It was first of all Brayden Point, the top scorer of the playoffs, who put on his 12th. With this goal, he extends his streak of games with at least one goal to seven.
Brayden Point gets the @TBLightning rolling… #StanleyCup
????????: https://t.co/LcI8Hsqs1r @NHLonNBCSports
????????: https://t.co/0cXuacT6MQ @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/tg38UUgd8s— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
Point is now the third-highest scorer in Lightning history in the playoffs. Plus, his seven-game scoring streak is the second-best streak in NHL history.
Brayden Point extended his goal streak to seven games with the 34th playoff marker of his NHL career.
He moved past Martin St. Louis (33) for sole possession of third place on the @TBLightning’s all-time list. #NHLStats: https://t.co/O1rP5ZmTny pic.twitter.com/1cYBSIYRqD
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 20, 2021
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Tampa Bay later closed the lead to one goal through Tyler Johnson.
Tyler Johnson (@tjohnny09) and the @TBLightning are within one. ???? #StanleyCup
????????: https://t.co/LcI8Hsqs1r @NHLonNBCSports
????????: https://t.co/0cXuacT6MQ @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/xJ72hgagi9— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
With more than a single goal behind and a few minutes to go in the game, the Lightning retired their goaltender in favor of a sixth skater. However, Victor Hedman ended up in the dungeon for tripping Cal Clutterbuck (instead he fell on his own and the refs fell into the trap). So the Lightning attempted one final attack by pulling Vasilevskiy out again. With five seconds left in the game, Ryan McDonagh found himself alone in front of Semyon Varlamov, and attempted a masterful feint that beat Varlamov, but not Ryan Pulock. Indeed, the defenseman of the Islanders went there with a sensational save which allowed his team to tie in the series.
GAME SAVER, RYAN PULOCK!!! ???? #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/8BpmADfCPb
— NHL (@NHL) June 20, 2021
Game 5 of this series takes place on Monday as both teams return to Tampa Bay.
Prolongation
– Here are the best scorers of the day before.
– A game from the other semi-final scheduled today in the NHL.
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