3 Takeaways Islanders Drop 4-1 Decision to Bolts

The New York Islanders dropped a 4-1 decision to the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Monday night.
It was a spirited contest between the two clubs, who faced each other for the first time since their 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals series, which ended in a Game 7 heartbreak for the Islanders.
Monday's regular season match had all the components of a postseason meeting as emotions ran high, but the Islanders ultimately fell short and suffered their third-straight loss.

"We're doing it a little to ourselves," Islanders Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "We're squeezing the stick a little bit. How you get out of it is together. For two periods, I thought we were OK. I thought we were fine. The third period, when they got the third goal, that sealed it."
Mathew Barzal scored the icebreaker, but the Bolts overpowered the Islanders with two first-period goals from Mathieu Joseph and Anthony Cirelli and third period goals from Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos (power play).
Semyon Varlamov returned to the pipes as he made his second start of the season and 24 saves on 28 shots in the loss while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves on 26 shots in net for Tampa.

ISLES DEVIATE FROM THE DETAILS

For three-straight games, the Islanders have cost themselves precious points as a result of deviating from their detailed system of play. Monday's game against Tampa proved to be the same grim outcome as a few mistakes turned the tide for the Bolts.
"We've had a lot of failed opportunities when we've tried to force things that aren't there," Trotz said. "Then, they're coming back and they're ending up in the back of the net. We've got to trust our complete game. Two goals, we just needed to secure the puck by slamming on the brakes, getting body position and winning a puck battle and it's not even a goal against, it's not even a chance. Its individuals are just not being as detailed as they need to."
The game's chippy tone was set at the opening faceoff with a heavyweight tilt between Isles defenseman Zdeno Chara and Tampa forward Pat Maroon, who dropped the gloves just four seconds into the game. It foreshadowed the hostile emotions that would occur during the remainder of the game.
After Chara and Maroon landed blows, the Islanders hit on the scoresheet 2:53 into the game, as Zach Parise sprung Barzal for a breakaway. Barzal showcased his snazzy hands as he faked out Vasilevskiy and roofed a backhander to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

The lead was short lived as Tampa tied it up 23 seconds later. A failed outlet pass by Sebastian Aho gave Tampa forward Joseph with a golden opportunity. Joseph grabbed the loose puck in the slot and roofed a wrister over Varlamov's glove to put the Bolts on the board at 3:16.
"We came out, we got the first goal," Trotz said. "We gave it back real quick, way too quick. You want to take some momentum, build some momentum. You score and they got it right back."
Tampa doubled its lead to 2-1 in the first period just seconds after Anders Lee's late hooking penalty expired. As the Bolts worked the Islanders' zone and Lee came out of the box, an Ondrej Palat shot ricocheted off Varlamov and Josh Bailey. Cirelli chased down the rebound and fired on net to beat Varlamov over his glove with 38 seconds left in the period.
The second period, while scoreless, was eventful as a fight broke out between Cirelli and Brock Nelson on an Islanders power play. Both skaters were administered fight-minute majors and separate minor penalties, but Cirelli also received a 10-minute misconduct for instigating. The kicker for the Islanders The Isles finished the period with a 12-3 advantage in shots, but failed to convert on each with the closest chance coming on an Oliver Wahlstrom shot that struck iron.
BOLTS 4, ISLANDERS 1
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"It's been a point of emphasis," Bailey said of the Islanders' power play. "We've been working at it and talking about it. We just have to stick with it and stick together. You're going to go through stretches like this during the course of the season and we just really have to hang in there as a group and I have faith that we will."
Tampa pulled away in the third period as they made the Islanders pay for another defensive breakdown. Point cushioned the Bolts lead 3-1 at 13:28 as a scramble broke out at the net front. Varlamov was knocked off his stance and the puck popped into the low slot where Point lofted it into the open twine.
The Islanders composure thinned as they fell behind two goals. Chara took a high-sticking penalty on Boris Katchouk which resulted in an immediate brawl. Both were administered subsequent misconduct penalties. On their third fourth power play of the game, Stamkos scored from his office with a one-timer from the left circle at 15:30 to deliver the game's dagger.
"There was always going to be hostility in this game," Matt Martin said. "You play a lot of hockey against one team and it kind of comes naturally. We've just moved on from last year and are focused on this year and reaching our goal. We obviously would have liked a better result tonight, but we didn't get it, so the focus moves onto Florida and obviously we need a win."

BELLOWS AND AHO DRAW IN FOR CIZIKAS AND DOBSON

Kieffer Bellows and Aho drew in the lineup in place of Casey Cizikas and Noah Dobson, with the hope to "bump up the power play and create some backside pressure," as stated by Trotz post-game.
Casey Cizikas missed his first game of the season as he was "not available" per Trotz. Cizikas had been dealing with a non-COVID-related illness His absence caused a rippling effect through the Islanders' forward group as the only line to stay intact was the line of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
In Cizikas' absence, Bellows dressed in his third game of the season and skated alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Josh Bailey.
Zach Parise played alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, while Cal Clutterbuck shifted into the center position between Matt Martin and Oliver Wahlstrom.
The Islanders blueline also underwent a chance as Dobson was healthy scratched and Aho made his season debut and dressed in his first game since March 18. The 25-year-old Swede was paired with Andy Greene, logging 23:21 of ice time, on ice including 3:45 time on the power play and 0:21 time on the penalty kill.

Tweet from @NYIslanders: An amazing accomplishment for Andy Greene as he plays in his 1,000th NHL game! pic.twitter.com/U46TzkdehO

GREENE SKATES IN 1,000TH CAREER NHL GAME

Greene officially became just the 358th player in the history of the NHL to reach the elusive 1,000th-career NHL game milestone. But typical to the humble nature of the undrafted free agent that forged himself successful 16-year NHL career with his poise and dedication to his craft, he was not focused on his indvidual acheivement.
"Honestly, not really you've got to keep your focus on the game," Greene said. "Once the game starts, enjoy the moment, but at the same time you've got to be focused on what you need to do at that exact time. [There was] a lot of emotion and a lot of support throughout the day from people. I really appreciate that."

Greene's 1,000th game, while resulting in a disappointing fashion, was a textbook game for the 39-year-old defenseman. He played true to his identity as a selfless player as he finished his monumental game plus-one rating, four blocks, three shots totaled 18:41 of ice time, including 2:32 of time on the penalty kill.
He came up with a pivotal play just under eight minutes in the second period when the score was still 2-1 in favor of Tampa as he laid out his body in the low slot and successfully blocked a pass from Cirelli, who was looking to connect with Point on the doorstep.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders conclude their 13-game road trip to start the season as they head to Sunrise Florida for the second leg of their back-to-back set in the Sunshine state. Puck drop between the Islanders and Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday night.