The New York Islanders secured a hard-fought victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning, winning 3-2 in a shootout on March 2, 2024. The triumph marked a successful completion of a three-game homestand for the Islanders at their home arena in Elmont, NY. Despite being significantly outshot, the Islanders displayed resilience to clinch their sixth win in seven games.
Mathew Barzal and Emil Heineman proved crucial in the shootout, successfully converting their attempts to give the Islanders the edge. Goalie Ilya Sorokin made a noteworthy contribution, recording 32 saves throughout the match. His performance was instrumental in overcoming a total of 34 shots from the Lightning, while the Islanders managed only 17 shots of their own, the fewest they have recorded in a victory since a 2-1 win against the Vegas Golden Knights on February 4.
In the opening period, the Islanders struck first with two goals. Matthew Schaefer netted a power-play goal just over three minutes into the game. This goal, resulting from a well-executed play, saw Schaefer exchange passes with Barzal before firing a shot past Lightning goalie Jonas Johansson, who made 15 saves in the match. The Islanders doubled their lead shortly after when Calum Ritchie scored, capitalizing on a turnover by Tampa Bay.
As the game progressed, the Lightning responded with determination. Darren Raddysh scored a power-play goal in the second period, bringing Tampa Bay back into contention. His slapshot from the slot found the net, aided by a screen from teammate Ryan Pulock. The momentum shifted again when J.J. Moser tied the game in the third period, following a faceoff win by Brayden Point. Moser’s shot from the left faceoff circle beat Sorokin, making it a tense finish for both teams.
Throughout the match, the Islanders faced challenges, particularly during a stretch where they managed only two shots over a span of more than 32 minutes. Despite this, the team’s ability to stay composed under pressure proved vital.
As the game moved into the shootout, Barzal and Heineman executed their shots precisely, sealing the victory for the Islanders. The loss ended the Lightning’s two-game winning streak, emphasizing the competitive nature of the match.
This victory not only highlights the Islanders’ depth in scoring but also their capacity to perform under pressure, setting a positive tone as they look ahead to the remainder of the season.
