Nelson scores two goals in third period, Islanders defeat Lightning

TAMPA -- Brock Nelson scored two goals in the third period for the New York Islanders in a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Monday.

Semyon Varlamov made 31 saves and Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist for New York (20-7-2), which has outscored the Lightning 10-3 in two victories this season.
"A real good team win. We needed a big goal and we got it," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "The special teams were huge, good goaltending tonight. Our compete level through the lineup was very good against a very good hockey team.
"There's always challenges in this building. Special teams, you get a shorthanded goal, a power-play goal, just all those elements in your game that you need. At the end there, we had our killer instinct."
WATCH: [All Islanders vs. Lightning highlights]
Steven Stamkos scored for Tampa Bay (14-11-3), which lost twice on a three-game homestand and is 1-4-0 in its past five home games. Curtis McElhinney made 19 saves.
"It's tough because we're working hard and putting a great effort forward," Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "Obviously we're not getting the results we want, but we can't change anything because it's a blueprint for success."
Nelson gave the Islanders a 3-1 lead with an unassisted goal at 7:31 of the third period, then made it 4-1 with a wrist shot from the slot at 14:41.

"They had some pressure there, but we able to weather it," said Nelson, who has three goals in his past three games. "Just a good road win against a good team. Comeback effort for us after the last one (a 3-1 loss at the Dallas Stars on Saturday)."
Ross Johnston gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 6:44 of the second period with a wrist shot from the right circle.
Bailey made it 2-0 on a shorthanded breakaway at 8:37 of the second after the Islanders thwarted a 4-on-2 rush and Casey Cizikas made a diving outlet pass.
"It does [change the momentum]," Bailey said. "We've had it happen to us the opposite way, and it's always a bit of a wind-out-of-your-sails moment. It was good by Casey sticking with it and springing me on the break."

Stamkos scored his 10th goal of the season to make it 2-1 at 15:35 of the second period.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "The shorthanded goal, we can't give that up."
Anders Lee scored his first power-play goal of the season with 3:55 remaining for the 5-1 final.
The Lightning had a goal from Victor Hedman at 9:53 of the third period reversed when video review determined Anthony Cirelli was offside.
"Well I mean, how many posts tonight? Four or five, a disallowed goal; it was offside, but that felt like one of those games that we deserved a lot better," Stamkos said. "I thought the second and third period we worked hard, plenty of chances. They just didn't go in tonight."

They said it

"It's all about the team. [It was a] team win. I've got to give the credit to this team. The boys are battling in front of me, playing really good defensively like tonight." -- Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov
"For whatever reason, the last game (a 7-1 win against the San Jose Sharks) everything went in and tonight nothing went in. We'll continue to work hard, turn the page and get a win [Tuesday against the Florida Panthers]." -- Lightning captain Steven Stamkos

Need to know

It's the first time the Islanders have won 20 of their first 29 games. ... New York is 18-0-1 this season when it scores at least three goals and 55-2-3 under Trotz. … Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (lower-body) did not play and is day-to-day. … New York center Mathew Barzal had an assist and has six points (three goals, three assists) in his past six games. … New York blocked 18 shots; defensemen Scott Mayfield and Johnny Boychuk had three each. … Tampa Bay went 0-for-3 on the power play. … Lightning forward Tyler Johnson (lower body) did not play and is also out Tuesday. … Lightning forward Mitchell Stephens made his NHL debut and was minus-2 in 8:28 of ice time.

What's next

Islanders: At the Florida Panthers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FS-F, MSG+, NHL.TV)
Lightning: At the Florida Panthers on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; SNE, SNO, SNP, FS-F, SUN, NHL.TV)