Lightning has rare off night in loss to the Islanders
It had to be happen and will probably happen a few more times this season. The Lightning had a rare off night and especially the first two periods in their 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders.
The Lightning came out flat and could never get the momentum they needed. They were out of position defensively, and the passes were not crisp which created numerous turnovers which the Islanders capitalized on. . Andrei Vasilevskiy had little chance on two of the goals as he was left alone in the front of the net and the Islanders took advantage.
The Lightning were coming off a very impressive 6-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night and did not bring their best effort last night.
This was what Jon Copper called a good wake up call for his team. You know the Lightning will get the best of every opponent this season. They got the best of the Islanders last night as the Isles played thier best game of the season.
This was only the third loss of the season for the Lightning who still own the best record in the NHL at 15-3-2. It is impossible to bring a high level of intensity and focus to all 82 games. You are bound to have some stinkers along the way. Last night was one of those games for the Lightning.
Last year the Pittsburgh Penquins won their second consecutive Stanley Cup defeating the Nashville Predators. In November of last year the Pens were 7-5-2. In January the Pens were just 6-5. I’m sure their were so called exports who wrote the Penquins off and were eating humble pie in June when the Penquins were raising the Stanley Cup.
My point in all this is that it is a long season and their is no reason to push the panic button. The Lightning have been the most consistent team in the league this season. The Lightning may loose another 2-3 in a row. That doesn’t limit their chances of making a deep run in the playoffs. The Lightning are a well-oiled machine and will only get better as the season goes on.
The Lightning played Lightning hockey in the third period last night scoring three goals with two of those goals coming In a 13 second span. The third line of Yanni Gourde, Ondrej Palat, and Braydon Point did all the scoring for the Lightning as the top line of Stamkos, Kucherov, and Namestnikov were held without a point.
The Lightning have another tough one coming up Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks at home. Then a four game trip to the Northeast starting with Washington and Pittsburgh next weekend.
