The Lightning will take a 3-1 series lead back home to put the Islanders on the brink of elimination after besting New York 2-1 in a short overtime period.
Lightning vs. Islanders 2016 final score: Short overtime benefits Tampa Bay in 2-1 victory
In a low-scoring affair, the Lightning came out on top.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay scored the final two goals, including the game-winner from Jason Garrison less than two minutes into the frame of extra hockey.
After the Lightning controlled the opening moments of Game 4, it was actually the Islanders that struck first four minutes into the game. New York got the first power play of the game right out of the gate after Mike Blunden got two minutes for roughing. The Islanders capitalized with some quick movement down low that got the puck out to Kyle Okposo at the left circle, and he buried it for his second of the playoffs.
The Lightning got their chances in the second period with all three power plays. Though Tampa Bay didn't score, they had some of their best opportunities to do so after Thomas Greiss was taken out of the game for a few moments due to a skate blade malfunction.
A secondary delay to start the third period halted play for another 10 or so minutes, as the ice crew helped repair damage done to the boards from a Zamboni. The Lightning benefited from the stoppage and broke Greiss’ shutout 7:49 into the period to tie the game. Nikita Kucherov’s quick wrist shot beat Greiss from in front of the net between the goaltender’s body and the left post for the 1-1 equalizer.
Overtime was needed to decide the surprisingly low-scoring contest, making it the second game in a row that this series has seen extra hockey.
But it didn’t last very long. Garrison blasted a puck by Greiss just 1:34 into the overtime period. The Lightning held pressure in the offensive zone long enough for Garrison to put home a rocket from the point for the 2-1 Tampa Bay game-winner.
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