TAMPA, Fla. _ The Lightning played a tight defensive game, limiting the Islanders' opportunities to win their sixth straight game, 3-1 on Saturday night.
In other words, they did all the things the Islanders are known for.
Coach Jon Cooper mentioned before the game that the Islanders play a playoff style, referring to the tight defensive structure their coach, Barry Trotz, is known for.
The Lightning (35-15-5) gave up only 18 shots, and though the game was very back-and-forth in the first period, they eventually established their game offensively.
Brayden Point put the Lightning on the board 14 seconds into the second period. Nikita Kucherov found Point behind everyone and set him off on a foot race to the net with Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock. Point fired off a slap shot from the high slot. With the assist, Kucherov extended his point streak to 10 games.
Anthony Cirelli made the defensive play of the game in the second period, breaking up Mathew Barzal's breakaway chance. He caught Barzal from behind, lifted his stick and stole the puck. Barzal also had a goal waived off for being offside after a Lightning challenge.
Carter Verhaeghe made it 2-0 6:25 into the third period. He scored on a backhand cutting in front of the net. Yanni Gourde assisted for his first point since Jan. 7. He hasn't scored since Nov. 25.
Islanders center Derick Brassard broke up Andrei Vasilevskiy's bid for a shutout, tipping Josh Bailey's pass past the goalie with 7:48 to play to make it 2-1.
Steven Stamkos scored an empty-netter with 1:02 left to extend his point streak to 10 games. Kucherov's two points _ the assists on Point and Stamkos' goals _ maintained his matching streak as well.
With the win, the Lightning avoided being beaten by a team three times in a season, which hasn't happened since going 1-3 against the Bruins in 2017-18.
