Nate Thompson Photo by Linda Hamilton
This was a game the Lightning needed to win. Scratch that. They’re all games they need to win if they want to even think about bumping into the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Turn overs and mental mistakes were hallmarks of this evening’s game against the Islanders. The Bolts did show some resiliency and tied the game twice, but ended up falling short and losing 4-2.
New York struck first and Richard Panik evened the score about five minutes into the second period. Josh Bailey pushed the Isles ahead again, but Matt Carle tied it yet again. What seemed to seal the deal was the third New York goal. Ben Bishop was screened and didn’t even see the puck until it was already behind him. Right through the five hole. An empty net goal in the final seconds of the game put the kibosh on any hopes of Tampa come back.
Other than the third goal, Bishop did have a pretty solid game. The problem for the Bolts was that Evgeni Nabokov had an excellent game at the other end of the ice. Tampa got quite a few excellent chances but couldn’t get past the veteran netminder, particularly on the power play. The Lightning were 0-3 on the night with the man advantage.
The Bolts were without Victor Hedman, still out with a lower body injury. Matt Taormina was recalled from the Syracuse Crunch to fill in and wore #55.
Nate Thompson returned to the line up after serving a two game suspension. It was Nate’s 300th career NHL game. Oddly fitting that it came against the Islanders. Thompson played for the Islanders before the Lightning claimed him off waivers in January of 2010.
Tampa has no time to dwell. They meet the division rival Capitals tomorrow night in Washington. Right now they are six points out of the playoff picture but can make up a lot of ground with a win in our nation’s capital.
