Lightning Strike 8 Times In Dominating Game 5 Win Over Islanders

TAMPA, FLA — After the Tampa Bay Lightning finished the way they wished they had started in a loss that evened up their Stanley Cup semifinal series against the New York Islanders over the weekend, they vowed to come out with a different, more desperate approach in Monday night’s pivotal Game 5.

This time, there was no mistaking that the defending champions meant business and are zeroed in on bringing the title back to Tampa.

The Bolts tallied three first-period goals and never let off the gas in a dominating 8-0 victory over the Islanders at Amalie Arena to move within a victory of advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year. Game 6 will be played Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island.

The Lightning improved to 13-0 coming off a playoff loss in a streak that dates back to the 2019 postseason. The Bolts, who finished the victory with 40 shots on goal, wasted no time in grabbing a lead as Steven Stamkos scored just 45 seconds into the game, which started off a scoring parade that included goals by Yanni Gourde and Alex Killorn as the Lightning tallied three scores on 19 shots on goal.

Turns out, the opening 20 minutes were just a warm-up act for what was yet to come.

The Bolts added to their lead just less than six minutes into the second period when Stamkos scored for the second time — this time on the power play as the Lightning continues to keep the pressure on the Islanders defense.

Ondrej Palat extended the lead to five at the 15:43 mark of the second period before Killorn notched his second goal of the night with a power-play goal just more than two minutes later to give the Bolts their sixth goal of the night. Tampa finished 3-for-6 on the power play as part of a performance that showed no signs of weakness.

Brayden Point then joined into the offensive barrage by scoring in his eighth straight game less than two minutes into the final stanza as the Lightning power play. Luke Schenn capped the night’s scoring to finish off the unrelenting performance that now has the Bolts within one win of another Finals appearance.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 21 saves in net for the Lightning in his fourth career playoff shutout.

NBC Sports Group in the U.S. is providing exclusive national television coverage of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals.

Here are the dates of the upcoming games:

Game 6: Wednesday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

*Game 7: Friday, June 25 at 8 p.m.

This is the second straight year the Lightning has battled the Islanders in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.

The Lightning defeated the Islanders in six games in the Eastern Conference Final last season before winning the Stanley Cup against the Dallas Stars.

A strong performance in net from Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov, as well as goals from Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, sent the Lightning to a 2-1 loss in Game 1 of the Lightning's bid to hang on to the Stanley Cup, according to Lightning sports reporter Jacob Lynn.

The Bolts tried to rally late in the third, getting on the board in the final minute of regulation, but New York hung on down the stretch to take Sunday's series opener.

In Game 2, the Lightning rebounded with a solid team effort that saw contributions come throughout the lineup in a 4-2 victory. The Bolts scored three straight goals after Ondrej Palat snapped a 1-1 tie in the second period to put the Bolts up to stay.

Jan Rutta's goal just more than 2 minutes in the third period extended the lead before Victor Hedman added a power play goal to give Tampa Bay a commanding 4-1 lead. The Islanders tallied a late goal to get to within 4-2, but Andrei Vasileveskiy was impressive in net and finished the win with 24 saves.

Brayden Point’s continued offensive hot streak lifted the Bolts to a 2-1 victory and two games to one series lead in Game 3. Point’s goal while falling to the ice late in the second period snapped a 1-1 tie and then Andrei Vasileveskiy preserved the lead and the victory with 27 saves. The Islanders had a one-skater advantage for the final two minutes of the game, but the Tampa Bay defense kept New York from registering a shot in that time as the Lightning again grabbed the series lead.

In Game 4, the Islanders salvaged a win on home ice in a 3-2 victory as a late Lightning rally fell short. The Bolts scored two third-period goals after allowing the Islanders to tally three goals in a pivotal second period when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

Brayden Point scored for the seventh straight game to cut the deficit to 3-1 before Tyler Johnson followed up less than three minutes later to get the Bolts to within a goal. Ryan McDonagh had a glorious scoring chance late after the Lightning pulled Vasileveskiy out of goal, but his shot at a wide-open net was saved by a diving Ryan Pulock before the puck could cross the goal line as the Islanders held on.

Official Lightning Watch Parties

For those who aren't lucky enought to score a ticket to Tuesday's game, Pepsi Zero Sugar will host a socially distanced Lightning Plaza Party outside of Amalie Arena on Ford Thunder Alley, featuring live music and giveaways. Tickets are $5 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lightning Foundation Charities. Pods of one to eight people are available.

Important Details:

• Tickets must be purchased to access Lightning Plaza Parties
• Fans with tickets to the Lightning Plaza Parties are permitted to bring standard tailgate-sized chairs (20 by 20 inches)
• The plaza will open for ticketed guests three hours before the puck drop
• Anyone without a ticket to either the Amalie Arena or the Lightning Plaza Party will be asked to leave the secure perimeter of the plaza
• Fans with tickets to the Thunder Alley viewing party and the arena will be able to access the plaza via the west sidewalk in between the JW Marriott and the Pam Iorio Garage, the west sidewalk at the intersection of Morgan Street/Channelside Drive or the entryway to the plaza at the northwest corner of Amalie Arena
• Outside food and beverages, coolers, bags, and tents are not permitted.

For away games during the Stanley Cup Semifinals, fans are invited to Amalie Arena for socially distanced, official Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Parties presented by Bud Light, featuring live entertainment, appearances by Lightning mascot ThunderBug and other Lightning personalities, giveaways and concession specials.

Tickets are $10 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lightning Foundation Charities. Pods of one to six people are available. Doors will open 75 minutes before the scheduled puck drop.

Patch editor D’Ann Lawrence White contributed to this report.