Kucherov, Stamkos Power Lightning Past Canadiens in Game 1 of 2021 Stanley Cup Final
Jun 29, 2021
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy blocks a shot during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup finals against the Montreal Canadiens, Monday, June 28, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
The Montreal Canadiens are trying to end a Stanley Cup title drought dating back 28 years. First, they'll have to figure out Andrei Vasilevskiy. And the Tampa Bay Lightning's electric offense. And their stout defense.
Turns out the Lightning are the defending champions for a reason.
The Lightning and their star goalkeeper proved to be quite the foil for the Canadiens on Monday night in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, winning 5-1 behind Vasilevskiy's 18 saves and a goal-scoring barrage from the team's wealth of talented forwards.
Erik Cernak, Yanni Gourde, Nikita Kucherov (two) and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning, who are now just three wins away from repeating as champions.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 29, 2021
Brayden Point added three assists for the Lightning.
The Lightning just utterly dominated this one. They outshot the Canadiens 27-19, blocked 15 shots and held a 10-5 advantage in takeaways. Both teams brought the physicality, but it was the Lightning who also brought the scoring touch.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 29, 2021
But they were too few and far between Monday night.
Not that adversity will bother the Canadiens too much. They were down 3-1 in their first-round series versus the Toronto Maple Leafs before advancing. They lost the first game in the Stanley Cup Semifinal against the Vegas Golden Knights before winning in six. They're 5-1 in overtime games.
It's been a magical run, and it's far from over. But Monday night the Lightning were just better, full stop.
Nikita Kucherov was asked what was working in Game 1 for the Lightning. "Stick to our game plan. That's what's working. The coaches are telling us what to do and I think we're doing a hell of a job listening to them." #Bolts#MTLvsTBL
Finishing with 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in a 5-1 @TBLightning win over the Canadiens tonight, Kucherov joined Wayne Gretzky (6 times), Mark Messier (3), Jari Kurri and Mario Lemieux as the only players in NHL history to post multiple career 30+ point #StanleyCup Playoff years https://t.co/2Gq6bGVDXc
It helps having a superstar like Kucherov. Or a netminder like Vasilevskiy. Or...well, it helps to be as loaded as the Lighting.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Battered and Bruised, Lightning Grind Their Way Back to Stanley Cup Final
Jun 26, 2021
Members of the Tampa Bay Lightning pose for a photo with the Prince of Wales trophy after defeating the New York Islanders during Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Friday, June 25, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Nikita Kucherov skated gingerly on the Amalie Arena ice during media timeouts Friday night. The Tampa Bay Lightning winger had been hit with a vicious (though apparently not malicious) cross-check by New York Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield two days prior during Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoff semifinals on Long Island.
Kucherov's health was in question, but had coach Jon Cooper told him he was subbing in another player, Kucherov probably would have just made his way onto the ice anyway.
"Well, there was no question if I was going to play or not," Kucherov said during his postgame Zoom news conference. "Game 7 you've got to sacrifice yourself and play in this moment and share with the boys, and I felt good today."
The defending Stanley Cup champs will continue their title defense Monday night against the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final. But Kucherov isn't the only one who's banged up. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev took a big from Matt Martin in Game 7. It could have been a boarding major, but I won't get into the awful officiating. I'm sure there will be plenty of bad calls and non-calls in the Final.
But no team gets to Game 7 in the semifinal round without absorbing a few blows. The thing about this team is that it's built to withstand them. The Lightning have so many weapons that Sergachev is in the third pairing with David Savard, who was a top-pairing defenseman with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tampa Bay is built to win—not just in the regular season but deep into the playoffs. The building started under Steve Yzerman nearly a decade ago, and it's continued under Julien BriseBois, a veritable salary-cap wizard. The Lightning have long been one of the best teams in the salary-cap era, but until recently, they had nothing to show for it.
Since 2014-15, Tampa Bay has been right there with those teams but unable to translate regular-season wins into championships until last year. The Bolts lost to the Blackhawks in that third and final Cup run in 2014-15. The next season, they lost to the eventual champion Penguins in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. They lost in Game 7 at home in the same round two years later, falling to the Barry Trotz-coached eventual champion Washington Capitals.
They won their first Presidents' Trophy in 2018-19 with a remarkable 128 points, the fourth-best regular season in NHL history. It was quite possibly one of the best teams ever assembled, but Tampa Bay was swept out of the first round by Columbus, leading to palpable anger and embarrassment.
"It was all building blocks to get here," Cooper said.
All the anger and disappointment has dissipated. The Lightning did what they were supposed to do last year and won the Stanley Cup. Great players such as Kucherov, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point secured their legacies. Now, they'll try to build on that by winning a second straight Cup.
"It's so damn hard to win in this league," Cooper said. "But last year I just found out we could win in different ways, but just the warrior mentality this group had, and it was prevalent tonight. After a really tough loss the other night, you just can't count them out, though. They've learned to defend, and another masterful performance in the defensive zone to win a huge Game 7 for us."
Like Cooper said, these Bolts can win in myriad ways. While they have enough firepower to overwhelm just about every team in the league, against the Islanders they needed to win with defense. They put on a clinic.
In Gamey 7, the only goal was scored short-handed by Yanni Gourde in the second period. It was the only short-handed goal New York allowed all season. In order to make it stand up, Tampa Bay needed to play an exceptionally detailed game in front of Vasilevskiy. There were times the Lightning looked gassed, but they found another level. They blocked 21 shots, they got sticks in shooting lanes, they executed in the defensive zone with precision and didn't take any penalties in the third period.
Trotz and his system tend to wear out opponents. But the Islanders couldn't rope-a-dope their way past a team that is so deep and powerful.
"It's becoming a broken record, but it's not how many you put in the net, it's how many you keep out," Cooper said. "It's a hard lesson to learn, especially the players coming up today and the skill, the rules getting put into place that open up skill and to skate and to score. But when you get to the playoffs, it's about defending."
The Bolts head into the Final as heavy favorites. The powerhouse facing the underdog Habs. Montreal wouldn't have even reached the postseason if not for the realigned divisions.
"You can't predict that it's going to happen, but that's the vision of everybody in this organization—knowing that we could do this," Cooper said. "But look, we haven't won the Stanley Cup this year. We're chasing it just like Montreal is. To be down to the final two in back-to-back years is a pretty remarkable accomplishment, and that's all well and good to one day put on your gravestone that you won a Stanley Cup, but to do it two years in a row, you are talking about now your team is special."
The Lightning are trying to show that they aren't just a great team but also one of the special ones. Back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances won't prove that, but back-to-back wins would. How much did the Islanders take out of the Bolts in that last round? It doesn't really matter, because if Tampa Bay is a special team, it will find another level once again.
Lightning Eliminate Islanders, Advance to Face Canadiens in 2021 Stanley Cup Final
Jun 26, 2021
Tampa Bay Lightning center Yanni Gourde celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Islanders during the second period in Game 7 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Friday, June 25, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have advanced to face the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final after beating the New York Islanders 1-0 in Game 7 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series on Friday in Tampa's Amalie Arena.
Yanni Gourde's short-handed goal at 1:49 of the second period was all the Lightning needed to take down the Islanders en route to their quest for back-to-back Stanley Cup victories.
Shayna Goldman of the Too Many Men podcast gave credit to Ryan McDonagh, who didn't get on the scoresheet for the play but was instrumental in the Lightning goal:
A longer look at the play leading up to Gourde's short-handed goal. McDonagh kills some time by holding the puck along the boards. pic.twitter.com/gZamFzXN8q
ESPN's John Buccigross shouted out Gourde and Anthony Cirelli, who came up with the primary assist:
Cirelli is such a money player. Gets no power play time. Does all the important stuff. Most would have dumped this in..Gourde has been the Lightning’s most entertaining player. Pre workout drink in human form. Maniac. https://t.co/KVgPGxrZM2
Yanni Gourde and his linemates just continue to hound pucks in the offensive zone. And then Palat gets on and sets up a little 2-man game with him and Gourde for a good shot from the right circle. Varlamov makes the save. #Bolts#NYIvsTBL
Now the Lightning are back in the Stanley Cup yet again as the Bolts look to make it back-to-back titles.
Islanders Fight Hard But Can't Muster Much Against Lightning
Credit to the Islanders, first and foremost, for a tremendous playoff run that saw them upset the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.
New York's tremendous effort and resilience shined all playoffs, and the team can hang its head high knowing it left it out on the ice.
On Friday, Tampa simply outclassed New York, which was on its heels for much of the evening. That was the case in the first period, when Tampa outshot New York 14-5. Andrew Gross of Newsday summed up much of that 20-minute frame well:
Lightning controlling play to this point. Clearing their zone has been an issue for Isles.
#Isles get out of first in a 0-0 tie with Lightning, who are up on shots 14-5. Isles struggled to get puck out of their own zone, had little energy to establish a forecheck after that.
The Islanders did make a push late in the second, but that was shut down.
#Isles got some push in the closing minutes, but Tampa shuts down every shooting lane. Down 1-0 after 2.#Isles need one more third-period rally to keep their dream alive.
That changed when the Islanders pulled Varlamov for the extra attacker, but the Isles still had trouble getting the puck out of their own end as Lightning players did an exceptional job pinning the puck deep behind New York's goal line to kill time.
The Isles did put the pressure on as time wound down, but the Lightning blocked four shots despite New York playing with an extra attacker. New York only got one shot on goal in the 2:37 it played without Varlamov.
New York is now heading home early, but the Islanders still had a tremendous season that gives the team more hope for a brighter future.
What's Next?
Tampa Bay will host Montreal for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday at 8 p.m. ET.
If the Lightning win the Cup, they would be the first team to accomplish the feat since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
A Canadiens win would give Montreal an NHL-record 25 Stanley Cups and its first since 1993.
Brayden Point, Lightning Take Down Islanders in Game 3 for 2-1 Series Lead
Jun 18, 2021
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (77) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders with left wing Alex Killorn (17) and center Steven Stamkos (91) during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Tampa Bay Lightning hit the road for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals against the New York Islanders and promptly re-took home-ice advantage with a 2-1 victory at Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night.
After dropping Game 1 of the series at home, the Bolts repaid the favor in New York to grab a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-seven matchup.
Following a tirade by Islanders coach Barry Trotz towards officials who allowed the Bolts to score with too many men on the ice in Tampa's Game 2 victory, the Lightning went 0-of-1 on the power play as Brayden Point and Yanni Gourdeled the wayin Game 3.
The defending champion Bolts are now just two wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year.
Notable Performers
Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning: 1 Goal (Game-Winner), 2 SOG, 19:10 TOI
Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning: 27 Saves, 1 Goal Allowed
Semyon Varlamov, G, New York Islanders: 23 Saves, 2 Goals Allowed
Cal Clutterbuck, RW, New York Islanders: 1 Goal, 2 SOG, 4 Hits
Bolts Silence Coliseum
Hosting a massive postseason game seemed like an old habit for Nassau Coliseum and Islanders fans, even if it hadn’t done so since the start of the Clinton administration.
The longtime home of the Islanders—who are moving to the brand new UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, next year—was as boisterous as any building in league history on Thursday night. The first period was filled with chants of “Let’s Go Islanders,” which the crowd followed up by serenading forward Josh Bailey to the tune of “Hey! Baby”:
"Hey, Josh Bailey [ooh, aah], I wanna know, will you score a goal?"
It just wasn’t long before Tampa sent the crowd into a stunned silence.
After fighting off an opening attack by New York, Yanni Gourde broke open the scoring 10 minutes into the first period.
Just as the Islanders pounced on the Bolts at their arena in Game 1, Tampa Bay was able to do the same at the Coliseum, taking the crowd completely out of the game for the bulk of the first two periods and helping nullify home-ice advantage.
That the silence from the crowd was noticeable goes to show just how rowdy and attention-grabbing fans were at the start of the game. It was a massive credit to the Lightning that they could effectively quiet them down.
Even with New York trailing by one for much of the game, it never felt like the Islanders were controlling the pace. The only time after Gourde’s goal that the crowd noise made a return came with two-and-a-half minutes left in the second period when Cal Clutterbuck’s fourth goal of the postseason tied things up at one.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 18, 2021
But those vibes didn’t last long. New York was called for an interference penalty with 2:22 remaining in the period, setting up Brayden Point’s go-ahead goal just before the second intermission as the penalty kill expired.
For all the excitement of the Islanders playing another semifinal game at the Coliseum, New York’s play just couldn’t match the hype—especially without a goal from Bailey.
Brayden Point Stays Hot
Brayden Point might not be the first name that comes to mind on Tampa's roster.
Not with Steven Stamkos, Yanni Gourde, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson on the roster. Yet the 25-year-old from Calgary has been the ultimate key to the Bolts' success lately.
After posting 33 points in the playoffs last year (14 goals, 19 assists), Point is attempting to outdo himself in 2021 with 11 goals and four assists in 14 games.
With his game-winning goal Thursday, Point has now scored in six consecutive playoff games and has tallied at least a point in all but one game this postseason. He has four games this postseason with two points, all while averaging fewer than 20 minutes per night.
It's an astounding pace that goes to show just how difficult Tampa's offense is to slow down.
Even if teams can shut down Stamkos, Gourde and Hedman, there are still a number of skaters who can make up for it. Point tops the list, of course, but don't overlook assists from Blake Coleman (six points this postseason) and Erik Cernak (seven postseason points) on the night.
The Lightning have shown multiple times over the playoffs—not to mention during the Islanders series—that they aren't afraid of any line that takes the ice against them. Oftentimes on Thursday, that resulted in both teams skating their fourth line against each other.
Tampa keeps winning those battles. Now, the champs are just two wins away from returning to the sport's biggest stage.
What's Next?
The Stanley Cup Semifinals continue in New York with Game 4 set for Saturday, June 19, at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network live from Nassau Coliseum.
Lightning vs. Islanders Features 3rd-Most Expensive NHL Semifinal Tickets Since 2011
Jun 17, 2021
New York Islanders right wing Leo Komarov (47) shoots on Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Having a New York hockey team playing deep into the postseason is good news for ticket sales.
Per Ticket IQ, tickets for Islanders' home games against the Tampa Bay Lightning have the third-highest average sale price of any NHL playoff semifinal series since 2011:
Only the New York Rangers in 2014 ($954) and 2015 ($1,207) have had higher prices for tickets on the secondary market in the past 10 years.
The Islanders and Lightning are playing in the semifinals for the second straight year. Tampa Bay defeated New York in six games last year en route to winning the Stanley Cup, but that series was held without fans in the stands at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
After splitting the first two games of their semifinal series at Amalie Arena, the Isles will host the Lightning in Game 3 at the Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night.
The Islanders increased their home attendance to 12,000 fans for their home games in the second round against the Boston Bruins. The Coliseum has a maximum capacity of 13,917 for NHL games.
New York is looking to make its first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since the 1983-84 season.
Victor Hedman, Lightning Beat Islanders 4-2 in Game 2 to Even NHL Playoff Series
Jun 16, 2021
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders with center Brayden Point (21) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Tuesday, June 15, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Tampa Bay Lightning evened their Stanley Cup Semifinal series with the visiting New York Islanders at one game apiece after winning 4-2 on Tuesday in Amalie Arena.
Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman posted a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay, which scored three unanswered goals after the two semifinalists finished the first period tied at one.
Brayden Point, Ondrej Palat and Jan Rutta scored even-strength tallies for the Bolts, while Hedman capped the scoring on the power play. Right wing Nikita Kucherov had three assists for the Lightning, who outshot the Islanders 33-26.
The Islanders' first goal, courtesy of Brock Nelson at 13:30 of the first period, also came with the extra-man edge. Mathew Barzal capped the night's scoring by netting the Islanders' second goal with 3:16 left in the game.
The Lightning, who defeated the Islanders in last year's Eastern Conference Finals en route to a Stanley Cup win, are looking to become the first back-to-back championship winners since the Pittsburgh Penguins accomplished the feat in 2016 and 2017.
Notable Performances
Lightning D Victor Hedman: 1 G, 1 A, 2 SOG
Lightning C Brayden Point: 1 G, +2, 2 SOG
Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov: 3 A, +2, 2 SOG
Lightning G Andrei Vasilevskiy: 24 SV
Islanders C Brock Nelson: 1 G, 1 SOG
Islanders C Mathew Barzal: 1 G, 3 SOG
Lightning Bounce Back With Fantastic Team Effort
Tampa Bay went 59 minutes without scoring a goal in Game 1 before Point got the Lightning on the board with 54 seconds left. By then, it was too little and too late as the Islanders held on for the 2-1 victory.
Game 2 was a far different story, as the Lightning took advantage of the Islanders' defense and put up four to even the series.
The Islanders committed a turnover in their own zone in the first period, and the Lightning took advantage.
Point finished the job by one-timing a pass from David Savard to open the scoring.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 16, 2021
New York's defense failed again in a different way for the Lightning's second goal, as a long Hedman pass somehow found its way from the Lightning goal line to the Islander blue line, where Kucherov waited.
Kucherov then evaded the Islander defense and fired off a pass to Palat, who netted the go-ahead goal.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 16, 2021
The Islanders had issues clearing the puck yet again in the third period, and the Lightning took advantage. This time, it was Rutta who fired a slap shot that slithered through traffic and into the net.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 16, 2021
The pressure only continued on the power play, when Kucherov returned Hedman's favor from earlier in the game by finding the defenseman, who then scored to complete Tampa Bay's four-goal outing.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 16, 2021
Overall, this was a massive win for Tampa Bay as it avoided losing its two series-opening games at home. The Islanders still have home-ice advantage by virtue of winning Game 1, but the Lightning grabbed momentum back as the series shifts to Long Island.
Islanders Struggle in Game 2, But Series Far From Over
The Islanders scored 15 goals over their last three games in the second round of the NHL playoffs against the Boston Bruins.
New York's bread-and-butter is solid defense and goaltending (second-fewest goals allowed in NHL) rather than its offensive effort (No. 20 in goals), but the offensive onslaught led the Islanders into the league semifinals.
New York seems to be regressing to the mean more against Tampa Bay, however.
The Islanders got away with it in Game 1 as Tampa Bay couldn't get on the board until it was too late in a 2-1 result.
Untimely, costly and rare defensive miscues combined with the Islanders' offensive efforts put New York in a no-win situation on Tuesday though.
That being said, the Islanders are still in a good spot. New York has home-ice advantage by virtue of the Game 1 win and can finish this series off with three wins in its own barn.
In addition, the Islanders have shown the ability to break out offensively at times this postseason, enabling them to overtake their competition and win games.
That hasn't happened yet in this series, but certainly can if players like Kyle Palmeiri (seven postseason goals), Nelson (seven) and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (team-high 13 playoff points) get going.
Overall, this wasn't a good night for the Islanders, but now they're headed back to Long Island, where a rabid fanbase hoping to see its team return to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1984 awaits.
What's Next?
Game 3 will occur on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The Islanders will host the contest, which will occur in Uniondale, New York's Nassau Coliseum. USA will be the game's television home.
Jon Cooper Says Lightning's 'Minds Weren't There' in Game 1 Loss vs. Islanders
Jun 14, 2021
New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) moves the pu8ck in front of Tampa Bay Lightning center Blake Coleman (20) during the third period in Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Tampa Bay Lightning weren't mentally ready for Sunday's Game 1 of their Stanley Cup semifinal series against the New York Islanders.
At least according to their coach.
"Our work ethic was there," Jon Cooper said following his team's 2-1 loss, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. "Our compete [level] was there. Our minds weren't there. Some of our decisions were poor. That's what happens when you get this deep into the playoffs. You have to have everything working in unison and we just weren't there tonight."
Sunday's showdown was much different than the Game 1 clash between the same two teams in the Eastern Conference Final inside the bubble.
Tampa Bay won that one 8-2 in dominant fashion and went on to win the series in six games. One of New York's two wins in that series came in double-overtime, so it was clear the Lightning were the better team in that one.
This year might be different.
The Islanders already eliminated high-profile opponents in the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins in the opening two rounds and turned in a defensive masterpiece in Game 1 against the Lightning. They limited Tampa Bay's dangerous chances in front of the net, and goaltender Semyon Varlamov turned away 30 of the 31 shots he faced.
That effort meant goals from Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal were enough to steal home-ice advantage.
As for Tampa Bay's mental mistakes, Wyshynski noted Steven Stamkos' giveaway led to Barzal's opening goal in the second period. It was one of seven giveaways from the home team, while the Islanders had just one.
Tampa Bay will look to turn things around in Tuesday's Game 2.
Islanders Win Game 1 vs. Lightning, Take Home-Ice Advantage in Stanley Cup Semifinals
Jun 13, 2021
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 13: Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders is congratulated by Anthony Beauvillier #18 after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period in Game One of the Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 13, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes struggled to solve Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The New York Islanders cracked the equation Sunday, however.
Led by goals from Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, the Islanders stole home-ice advantage from the Lightning, winning 2-1 on the road in Game 1 of their semifinal series.
Mat Barzal gets the scoring going in the #StanleyCup Semifinals!
Brayden Point made things very interesting in the final minute, scoring on the power play with just 53 seconds remaining and the Lightning playing six skaters to four after pulling Vasilevskiy. But the Islanders held from there, taking a crucial Game 1 win.
The teams were even in shots (31) and nearly even in hits (41-40 in favor of the Islanders), though New York had a major advantage in faceoffs won (28-18) and blocked shots (13-8). The Islanders also protected the puck extremely well, with only one giveaway.
The 9 rush chances weren't the most in a playoff game this year. That honor goes to....the New York Islanders who had 13 in a game. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the only thing boring about this team is that other teams can't score on them.
Sunday's result shouldn't be a surprise. The Islanders may have come into this series as the underdogs—as they should against the defending champs—but they were also underdogs against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins and won each series in six games.
They also thrive in close games. The Islanders went 3-1 in overtime games in the first two rounds, so Tampa's late push didn't rattle them.
One thing is for certain—the Islanders aren't about to get comfortable against a dangerous team like the Lightning.
"We just gotta regroup here and have to even get better," Pulock said after the game on the NBC broadcast. "They're gonna make a push here in Game 2."
And no, the Lightning aren't exactly panicking:
#Bolts down in a series for the first time this postseason. Stamkos said the Islanders played really well, but Lightning will make some adjustments and come back hungrier in Game 2. "I don't think this group necessarily gets down or gets frustrated." #NYIvsTBL
This series should be fun. The pesky Islanders who keep defying expectations vs. the defending champions who always seem to rise to the challenge. Game 2 will be Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
Victor Hedman, Adam Fox, Cale Makar Named Finalists for 2021 Norris Trophy
Jun 9, 2021
TAMPA, FL - June 5: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on June 5, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
The NHL announced the three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy Wednesday are Adam Fox of the New York Rangers, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche:
The award is given to the top defenseman in the league, while the list of finalists includes one former winner and 12-year veteran in Hedman as well as two players (Fox and Makar) excelling in their second seasons in the NHL.
The winners of all of the year's awards will be announced during the Stanley Cup Semifinals and Stanley Cup Final.
Hedman has easily the best career resume of the finalists, having won the Norris Trophy in 2017-18 and been named a finalist for the fifth straight year. He has also been selected to three All-Star games while he helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup last season, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.
The 30-year-old finished 2020-21 with 45 points in 54 games while averaging 25:03 on the ice, the second-most of his career.
He will have to beat out younger competition that includes Makar, one of the top prospects in the sport. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft burst onto the scene last year by winning the Calder Trophy, also earning votes for the Norris.
Makar, 22, has kept it up this year with eight goals and 36 assists in 44 games, also finishing plus-17 for the Avalanche.
Fox has even better numbers for the Rangers, leading all defensemen with 42 assists. He added five goals while finishing plus-19 on the year for a team that didn't even make the playoffs.
The 23-year-old is hoping to be the fourth Rangers player to win the Norris Trophy and the first since Brian Leetch in 1996-97.
Lightning Eliminate Hurricanes in Game 5, Advance to Stanley Cup Semifinals
Jun 9, 2021
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 08: The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate a goal scored by Brayden Point #21 during the second period in Game Five of the Second Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on June 08, 2021 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are eight wins away from defending their Stanley Cup title.
Last year's champs beat the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0 on Tuesday night, eliminating them in five games in the Central second round. Brayden Point and Ross Colton scored for the Lightning, silencing a raucous Canes crowd.
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) June 9, 2021
Andrei Vasilevskiy continued his excellent postseason in goal, saving all 29 shots he faced. He gave up just six goals in Tampa's four wins in the series.
Andrei Vasilevskiy stops all 29 shots for his 3rd career playoff shutout, all 3 coming in clinching game scenarios, all in the last 3 series. #Bolts#TBLvsCAR
The Hurricanes outshot the Lightning 29-25, outhit them 34-24 and had more power plays (3-2, though the Lightning had the only power-play goal).
But Tampa's balance was evident yet again. They protected the puck (just 12 giveaways, compared to 23 for the Canes) and blocked 22 shots.
“Probably why we’ve had success the last couple of years is because we’ve had the ability to win different ways," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters before Game 5. "If you want to get into a shootout, we have a group that can do it that way. But that’s not ideal. We really have this belief that it’s what you keep out of your net, not how much you put in the other net. We try and live by that.”
They've been living by that, and thriving by that, this postseason. Six of Tampa's eight playoff wins have come in games they've given up two goals or less.
It's a tough way for the Hurricanes' season to end after an excellent regular season. They simply ran into the better team.
Canes fall 4-1 to the Lightning in the second round of the playoffs. Perhaps a disappointment considering the expectations, but hey, for a while you gave these people something to cheer about after the hardest year. They’re still cheering and I’m getting emotional, lol pic.twitter.com/GJ5px5tFfX
— Sara 'pepcid ac lover' Civian (@SaraCivian) June 9, 2021
Up next for the Lightning will be the winner of the Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders matchup. The Islanders are currently up in that series 3-2. The Lightning will have home-ice advantage in that series.
