Rapid Recap: Islanders Allow Back-Breaking Bolts Goal Late in Second, Lose 5-3

TAMPA, FL– The New York Islanders put together a stronger performance against Tampa Bay, but the Lightning struck five times to the Islanders’ three, losing their second straight contest. The Islanders are now 2-3-0 on the season.

LINES

Parise-Barzal-Palmieri
Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Soshnikov-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Dobson
Aho-Mayfield

Sorokin
Varlamov

*Romanov and Dobson were split up towards the end of the first. Romanov skated with Pulock. Dobson with Pelech.

SCORING

Brayden Point gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 1-0 lead at 10:43 of the first period as, following a Scott Mayfield turnover behind the New York Islanders net, Point potted a rebound off a Nikita Kuchervo shot. Kucherov and Brandon Hagel were credited with the assists on Point’s fourth of the season.

Matt Martin tied the contest at one, as following a Corey Perry turnover, Matt Martin buried the puck from the slot for his first goal of the season.

Tampa took the lead with just over two minutes to play in the first period as, following a Point shot off the crossbar, Brandon Hagel beat Brock Nelson to the puck and buried it for his first of the season. Point and Victor Hedman were credited with the assists.

Cory Perry gave the Lightning a 3-1 lead at 3:12 of the third period as he was left all alone towards the blocker-side post, and Pierre-Eduoard Bellemare found him. Bellemare and Pat Maroon were credited with the assists on Perry’s second of the season.

Anthony Beauvillier snuck a backhander past Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Brian Elliott for his first of the season to cut Tampa’s lead to 3-2. The goal was assisted by Brock Nelson at 9:36 of the second period.

Nick Paul beat Ilya Sorokin with one second to go in the second to give the Lightning a 4-2 lead as the Islanders stopped playing. Ross Colton was credited with the assist on Paul’s first of the season.

Ryan Pulock scored at 5:45 of the third period to cut the Islanders deficit to 4-3 as he beat Elliott from the high slot after keeping the puck in the offensive zone. The goal was unassisted.

Alex Killorn picked up a loose puck off a Sorokin rebound to give the Lightning a 5-3 lead at 14:08 of the third. Paul and Sergachev were credited with the assists on Killorn’s first of the season.

Soshnikov Mistake Leads to Backbreaking Goal

Nikita Soshnikov was back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last three games as Josh Bailey took a seat. Skating alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Oliver Wahlstrom, Soshnikov looked good early but had two giveaways, one costly.

Rather than getting rid of the puck, on two separate chances, he took two big hits, which allowed Nick Paul to eventually score a backbreaking goal with one second to go in the second to give the Lightning a two-goal lead entering the third.

SIMPLY HAD TO DO IT TO 'EM 🤝 pic.twitter.com/EBQl0eqMcE

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 23, 2022

There should be no shock if Soshnikov is out of the lineup for the game Sunday against the Florida Panthers.

Romanov-Dobson Pair Separated

Not even 20 minutes into the season’s fifth game, the Islanders’ rejuvenated second defensive pairing has been split up as the line tinkering continues for new head coach Lane Lambert. 

The hard-hitting Alexander Romanov was split up with the smooth-skating Noah Dobson, with the former skating alongside Ryan Pulock. During the first period, Dobson was seen skating with Adam Pelech, perhaps the Islanders’ best defensive defenseman.

“Well, we’re on the road,” New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said. “In terms of their matchups and things like that, you know, we move some people around.”

He clarified:

“Like I said, we didn’t split them up because we weren’t seeing things. We split them up because we are on the road, and we can’t get the matchup we want.”

We shall see if they remain separated Sunday against the Florida Panthers.

Penalty Kill Remains Perfect

The New York Islanders found themselves in the penalty box yet again but, yet again, killed off all three chances against. They allowed six total shots. The penalty kill is now an even 18 for 18 to start the young season.

Netminder Ilya Sorokin has had to be the best penalty killer, as the Islanders allowed three of the six shots while short two players.

Up Next: The New York Islanders are in Florida to take on the Panthers for the second of their back-to-back. Puck drop is slated for 5 PM.