The National Hockey League’s semifinals series kicked off with a surprise in Tampa in Sunday’s matinee affair.
Semyon Varalamov made 30 saves for the New York Islanders in Game 1 win over Tampa Bay
Semyon Varlamov made 30 saves as the New York Islanders picked off Game 1 of the series, in a 2-1 win over the Lightning.
“We played well the entire game,” Varlamov said. “We played hard, physical. We played our game. We were focusing on our game today. I thought that’s why we had success.”
After a scoreless first period, Mathew Barzal broke through the Isles with a breakaway goal.
New York’s Josh Bailey stole a pass from the Lightning’s Steve Stamkos inside the Isles blue line. He sent a perfect feed a breaking Barzal who recognized the play.
“In some games we’ve played, I don’t need to get the fifth goal when we’re up 4-1,” Barzal said. “It’s just a matter of trying to be there for the boys when they need me and just doing the right things.”
The goal came at 12:32 of the middle frame.
“I thought today was more reminiscent of Game 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 from last season,” New York head coach Barry Trotz said. “I think teams are pretty well the same as they were last year. Systematically, we’re pretty similar. There hasn’t been any overhaul, I don’t think, on both sides.
“Pretty well what we expected, and in some ways that was good. Being familiar with a team that you haven’t played for [nine] months, it was good. It was a good start for us.”
Game 2 of the series will be in Tampa on Tuesday.
“We knew it was going to be extremely tough,” Stamkos said. “We’ve been in this position before, so there’s definitely no panic in this room. But we do realize that it’s going to be an extremely tight series and we just have to expect that going forward.”
Ryan Pulock extended the lead to 2-0 at 5:36 of the third period with a shot from the point.
“I tried not to let that bother me in the regular season and just keep playing my game, play the right way, play good defensively,” Pulock said. “I knew it would come, but obviously come playoff time, it’s nice to contribute in that way and kind of help out offensively. Every goal is huge in the playoffs. It’s nice to get one or two, just want to keep that going.”
Brayden Point finally scored for the Lightning with 53 seconds left in the third period, the goal came off the power play.
“Our work ethic was there, our compete was there, our minds weren’t there,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Some of our decisions were poor. That’s what happens when you get this deep into the playoffs. There are only four teams left and you have to have everything working in unison. We just weren’t quite there tonight.”
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 29 saves in the loss.
“We’re playing a different team that we played last week,” Cooper said. “It’s weird, because we’re playing some really contrasting style teams. The Islanders do what they do, and they do it extremely well. We saw it, so now it’s on us to pick it apart.”
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