Islanders inch closer to playoffs with win over Lightning

"Long Island Faceoff" Staff Report

The Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2
on Monday night. (Getty Images)

The New York Islanders became one step closer to making the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.

Ryan Pulock opened the scorig at 13:18 of the first period to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

Matt Martin, John Tavares, Johnny Boychuk and Brock Nelson also scored for the Islanders.

"I think as a team, us in here, knew Saturday wasn't good enough and we were embarrassed by it," Tavares said. "I really liked the way we responded and now you have to carry it over to [Tuesday]. That's the real important test, a test of our character on a tough back-to-back against a team that's won the Presidents' Trophy already. We're still fighting hard here, so that's really going to be a great test for us."

Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning. 

New York out-shot Tampa 36-34.

Ben Bishop made 18 saves for the Lightning, but was pulled and was relieved by Andre Vasilevsky, who made 13 saves. Thomas Greiss made 32 saves for the Lightning.

GAME NOTES:
Officials:
Referees: Chris Rooney, Dean Morton
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Brad Kovachik

Head Coaches
Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Jack Capuano (New York Islanders)
 
Tampa Bay Lightning Scratches: Slater Koekkoek, Jonathan Marchessault Steven Stamkos, Anton Stralman

New York Islanders Scratches: Steve Bernier, Jean-Francois Berube, Eric Boulton, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak, Travis Hamonic, Brian Strait