Can Lightning Strike at UBS Arena or Will Islanders Hold the Storm?

As the New York Islanders gear up to face the Tampa Bay Lightning at UBS Arena, fans are eager to see if their team can continue their recent performance trends. The Islanders have shown a mixed bag of results in their past few outings, with a notable victory against the Oilers where they capitalized on powerplay opportunities, scoring two goals and showcasing an impressive 100 percent penalty kill rate.

However, consistency has been an issue. Against the Capitals, despite a strong shorthanded performance and an even faceoff win percentage, they fell short in overtime. This was followed by a commanding win over the Hurricanes where they dominated early with three first-period goals and maintained that lead throughout.

The Islanders' ability to strike early could be crucial against Tampa Bay. Their aggressive play has resulted in high shooting percentages when on even strength but maintaining discipline will be key; penalties have led to shorthanded situations which could prove costly against a team like Tampa Bay known for its offensive prowess.

Defensively, goaltending has been solid with save percentages holding steady at 100 percent across different strengths of play. The defensive unit will need to maintain this level of performance and help control the pace of the game through effective hits and blocked shots.

UBS Arena will undoubtedly play its part as well; home advantage has seen strong support for the Islanders with attendance figures reflecting passionate fan engagement that can boost team morale.

As we look forward to this matchup, it's clear that if New York can leverage their powerplay efficiency and maintain strong goaltending while minimizing penalties, they stand a good chance of securing another home victory.

Islanders fans can catch all the action live from UBS Arena on February 9th at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN channel 206.