In Tampa on Monday night, the Lightning continued to play sub par hockey, this time losing to the New York Islanders, 5-1.
The loss was one game after throttling the San Jose Sharks, 7-1, Consistency is not the Lightning’s friend this season.
Brock Nelson scored two third period goal for the Isles – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“It’s tough because we’re working hard and putting a great effort forward,” Lightning defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. “Obviously we’re not getting the results we want, but we can’t change anything because it’s a blueprint for success.”
This form the defenseman who was quick to ascribe a “nothing to play for” attitude to some teams in the Eastern Conference.
On Monday, Semyon Varlamov made 31 saves to get the win for the Isles.
“A real good team win. We needed a big goal and we got it,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “The special teams were huge, good goaltending tonight. Our compete level through the lineup was very good against a very good hockey team.
“There’s always challenges in this building. Special teams, you get a shorthanded goal, a power-play goal, just all those elements in your game that you need. At the end there, we had our killer instinct.”
Brock Nelson put the game away in the third period when he potted two goals.
“They had some pressure there, but we able to weather it,” Nelson said. “Just a good road win against a good team. Comeback effort for us after the last one (a 3-1 loss at the Dallas Stars on Saturday).”
Steven Stamkos scored the lone goal for Tampa.
Ross Johnston, Josh Bailey and Anders Lee also scored for the Islanders.
The Lightning lamented a goal waved off the in the third period.
“Well I mean, how many posts tonight? Four or five, a disallowed goal; it was offside, but that felt like one of those games that we deserved a lot better,” Stamkos said. “I thought the second and third period we worked hard, plenty of chances. They just didn’t go in tonight.”
[WATCH: All Islanders vs. Lightning highlights]
Curtis McElhinney made 19 saves.
“For whatever reason, the last game (a 7-1 win against the San Jose Sharks) everything went in and tonight nothing went in,” Stamkos said. “We’ll continue to work hard, turn the page and get a win [Tuesday against the Florida Panthers].”
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