NHL Playoffs: Islanders vs. Lightning Game 1 recap, full highlights

The New York Islanders make a huge statement in Game 1 by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. 

Game One of the second round series between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning wound up being closer than the score suggested as New York beat Tampa Bay 5-3. New York jumped ahead with three unanswered goals in the first period.

After Tampa Bay opened the game with a goal from Ondrej Palat, the Islanders responded with a goal from Travis Hamonic and two goals from Shane Prince. Captain John Tavares added a power play goal in the second period to provide the rest of the scoring for New York. Thomas Greiss was outstanding in goal.

Tampa Bay had a very rough night outside of Palat’s goal. Just hours after being named a Vezina Trophy nominee, Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop allowed four goals on 13 shots on goal. They were able to keep it interesting thanks to third period goals by Nikita Kucherov and Valtteri Filppula. Tampa Bay has to address their defensive breakdowns that led to New York’s three first period goals.

Three stars

Prince gets the first star with two goals. Quite unbelievable to think that the Islanders got him for a third round pick at the trade deadline. New York has used him properly, something that his former team the Ottawa Senators failed to do. The skilled wing has been a godsend for New York who has needed his offense.

Greiss was the biggest reason that the Islanders were able to overcome a third period push by the Lightning. He saved 33 of the 36 shots that he saw and was especially clutch in the third period. Greiss has been outstanding for the Isles in the playoffs, something that a lot of people did not see coming.

Tavares had a power play goal in the second period and a secondary assist on Hamonic’s goal. He’s taken his game to an entirely different level in the playoffs. That’s what teams love to see out of their captain.

Highlights

"The Second Round is off to a hot start. Palat gets things going Tampa. #TBLvsNYI #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/kiFgBojz2l— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 27, 2016"

"The lead didn’t last long. @NYIslanders get one right back. #TBLvsNYI #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/WvdL0mAHVF— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 27, 2016"

"Shane Prince gives the @NYIslanders a lead at 17:28…#StanleyCuphttps://t.co/p07KxAJ0I5— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 28, 2016"

"…Shane Prince then buries his 2nd at 19:57. What a period. #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/0O0H3z8Ygr— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 28, 2016"

"You can always count on Johnny. Tavares has his League-leading 6th of the #StanleyCup Playoffs. #TBLvsNYIhttps://t.co/ic6up9Zi7w— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 28, 2016"

"A great release by Kucherov has @TBLightning within two. #TBLvsNYI #StanleyCuphttps://t.co/CgJPiHV22n— #StanleyCup Playoffs (@NHL) April 28, 2016"

Next Game

Tampa Bay will look to avoid a home sweep in Game 2 while the Islanders hope to get home with a 2-0 series lead. Game 2 will be played on Saturday, April 30 at 3:00 PM EST.

For more coverage of the NHL Playoffs, make sure to check out our NHL hub page.