Lightning vs Islanders – Second Intermission Report

The Lightning have extended their lead by two, taking a 5-1 lead following the second period. Unfortunately, they’re still taking too many trips to the box.

The first Lightning goal was a bit anti-climactic and unorthodox as Pat Maroon took a shot that managed to squeak into the crease behind Varlamov. Yanni Gourde was there to clean up the rebound and score – yet play continued. The Islanders were in their offensive zone when suddenly the horn sounded and it was announced that the puck crossed the goal line and the Lightning had scored.

Upon replay, we saw that Gourde shot it with enough force that it ricochet out as fast as it went in so it almost looked as if it was defelected and was indeed no goal. In actuality, it was a very clear goal and the Lightning were up 4-1.

The next goal came following back-to-back penalties by the Isles. With two second left on the power play, Greene was called for high sticking, heading to the box for what would amount to almost dead on consecutive power plays. On that second power play, Nikita Kucherov found Victor Hedman at the point for a shot but Brayden Point was down at the goal waving his stick. Point deflected it in mid-air and snuck it past Varlamov for his second goal of the night.

The Lightning had yet another penalty in the closing minutes of the period, making the penallties 5-3 in favor of New York.

This is not a recipe for success for the duration of the series. Gourde said in his post period interview that the Lightning have to find a way to stay out of the box and that could not be more true. On that final power play, the Islanders had some dangerous chances and Andrei Vasilevskiy found himself bailed out on one occasion by the crossbar and Mikhail Sergachev.

The third period is coming up in just a few moments.