
Islanders hold off Lightning in massive Game 1 win
NY Post
TAMPA — Coach Barry Trotz said his Islanders’ series-opening blowout loss to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference finals last season wasn’t a fair fight, after his team was thrown onto the ice the day after traveling between the NHL’s bubbles.
A rested Islanders squad had no such troubles Sunday in Game 1 of this season’s Stanley Cup semifinals, as they took a convincing 2-1 win and a 1-0 series lead over the Lightning in front of a disheartened home crowd at Amalie Arena. “I thought today was more reminiscent of Games 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 from last year,” Trotz said after the win, referring to how the Islanders were only outscored by two goals after the 8-2 drubbing the Lightning handed them in Game 1 last season.More Related News