Lightning Struck Down by Islanders in High-Scoring Affair at UBS Arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning, with a record of 10-3, faced off against the New York Islanders, standing at 8-5. In a game that saw an abundance of goals, the final score read 6-2 in favor of the home team.

The Lightning opened the scoring early in the first period but were quickly overwhelmed by a relentless Islanders offense that netted three goals before the horn sounded. Despite regaining some ground with a powerplay goal and ending the second period with one goal apiece for both teams, Tampa Bay could not maintain momentum into the third period where neither team managed to alter the scoreboard.

Tampa Bay's performance was marked by their tenacity on powerplays, converting one out of two opportunities and boasting an impressive faceoff win percentage of 80 percent during man advantages. Their overall faceoff win rate stood at 58 percent thanks to winning 28 out of 48 draws. However, this prowess on faceoffs did not translate into enough offensive production as they only managed to put up twenty shots throughout all three periods.

Defensively, Tampa Bay blocked a notable number of shots with thirteen successful blocks but still allowed six goals against them. The goaltending for Tampa Bay ended up facing twenty-four shots and made eighteen saves over sixty minutes but ultimately took credit for the loss.

On special teams aside from their powerplay success, Tampa Bay also killed penalties effectively; they were shorthanded twice and allowed only one goal while managing eight saves during these moments. The penalty kill unit was active as well as disciplined; despite four minor penalties resulting in eight penalty minutes total for Tampa Bay.

The New York Islanders capitalized on their chances more efficiently than their opponents did. With six goals from just twenty-four shots indicating an exceptional shooting percentage of twenty-five percent which included five even-strength goals and one powerplay marker from four opportunities.

Looking ahead after this tough outing at UBS Arena where attendance reached seventeen thousand two hundred fifty-five passionate fans, The Lightning will travel to Nationwide Arena in Columbus to take on Columbus Blue Jackets next week on February 11th. Fans can catch this matchup live on ESPN+ via internet broadcast or tune into BSSUN channel six hundred fifty-three if following away coverage or BSOH channel six hundred sixty for home coverage starting at midnight Eastern Time.