Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) goes to the bench after a goal by the New York Islanders, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
ELMONT, N.Y. — If this is how the New York Islanders play down the stretch, consider the NHL officially on notice.
Three goals apiece in the first and second periods paced a blowout 6-2 victory over a dangerous Tampa Bay Lightning team for the Islanders (22-17-12) on Thursday night at UBS Arena, their second consecutive victory to start the post-All-Star-break schedule.
“The will was phenomenal,” head coach Patrick Roy said. “This is a skilled team we played against and the unit of five coming back, supporting each other, being quick on every battle… our guys were playing well. We moved that puck fast. We didn’t play with it, we made good decisions in the neutral zone. I was very pleased with what I saw tonight.”
Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal each recorded a goal and an assist while Casey Cizikas scored in his first game back in five weeks after recovering from a lower-body injury.
“I thought everybody was going tonight,” Horvat said. “We were on top of them the whole time and we limited their time and space. A team like that is going to get chances but for the most part, I thought we did a good job of containing them.”
Ilya Sorokin made 15 saves as he watched his side dominate, outshooting Tampa Bay 24-17 on the night which included just 10 shots yielded over the first two periods of play on their way to build that insurmountable 6-2 lead.
An overpowering start from the Islanders in which they outshot the Lightning 14-3 staked them to a 3-1 lead after the opening frame.
Noah Dobson opened the scoring for the Islanders 4:07 into the game after cutting toward the goal from his usual post on the point and sending a cross-ice feed from the right circle that was intended for Oliver Wahlstrom at the left post. It…
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