NHL playoff scores 2016: After almost a month, we finally had our first boring playoff game

Clearly, the Stanley Cup playoffs had too much fun in Thursday night's triple overtime game in Nashville that they forgot to spare some for Friday.

No offense to the Lightning and Islanders, who put on a fine game of playoff hockey in their Game 4. Tampa Bay now takes the series back home with a 3-1 series lead after once again tying the game late and winning in overtime. But in all honesty, it was a really boring night of playoff hockey.

In a playoffs where we've been gifted with such jewels like the Predators' thrilling triple-overtime win or a Blues and Blackhawks Game 7, there were bound to be duds. Low-scoring affairs in hockey games can turn out some of the most exhilarating hockey games, but Friday was not one of those times.

It didn't help that in a game where both regulation goals happened just over two periods apart, there were multiple delays that sucked the life out of the Barclays Center. Approximately 15 minutes were spent between Thomas Greiss' skate blade malfunction that caused the Islanders to turn to their backup for a penalty kill and cleaning up after a Zamboni accident knocked the boards out of position. It felt as if we spent more time waiting for the game to resume than the actual running time of the 61 and a half minute match.

Lightning 2, Islanders 1 (OT)

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1. The Lightning had an underwhelming first period

In addition to the six minutes of penalty time in the opening 20 minutes, Tampa Bay had just six shots on net. A lot of that came from being on the penalty kill for 30 percent of the first, but even then the Lightning didn't hit Greiss or the twine in the final 12 minutes of the frame. It didn't matter in the end result, however!

2. There were as many delays as goals scored in this game

First, we had Greiss' skate malfunction that caused our first delay in the second period.

Then to start the third, we had the ice crew come out to fix a panel of broken boards that were moved out of place by a Zamboni.

oh pic.twitter.com/MidEfp3hTL

— Stephanie (@myregularface) May 7, 2016

It drove even the broadcasters crazy. Jeremy Roenick sung a bar of Justin Bieber while we were anxiously awaiting the return of the game.

Then we had a secondary puck on the ice for a few moments, which again caused a delay to the game.

Things That Have Delayed Tonight's Hockey Game:

• missing skate blade
• broken section of boards
• a second puck on the ice

— Hotline Blinn (@NHLBlinn) May 7, 2016

Strange night indeed in Brooklyn.

3. The Islanders once again failed to hold onto a lead

Though it wasn't as bad as Game 3's final-minute goal, the Islanders again lead the Lightning and then allowed Tampa Bay to get right back in it with an equalizer. Twice the Islanders had a game stolen from them in overtime after leading during the third period. Seems like the Lightning won't go down as easily as their Florida neighbors did back in the first round when it comes to extra hockey.

Ben Bishop played a solid game between the pipes for the Lightning with 27 saves, but had a scare earlier in the game on a scramble in the crease. The hit to the head Bishop received wasn't penalized, but in fact it was the Islanders that went on the power play where they scored their only goal of the game!

Remember Tony, AKA @soloucity on Twitter, who fell in love with hockey during the Blues/Blackhawks Game 7? We're dedicating a section in our recaps to the gems of his Twitter account during the playoffs.

Everytime i watch Lightning they lose......not a great sample size but still

— Tony X. (@soIoucity) May 7, 2016

It turned out okay for Tampa Bay, I think.

Nikita Kucherov passes Brad Richards & teammate Tyler Johnson for 3rd most playoff goals in #Lightning history with 19 (only took 37 games)

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 7, 2016