By Chuck Merlis
The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders 4-1 on Saturday night to extend their point streak to nine games.
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos scored in the game, reaching the 30-goal mark for the ninth time in his career. Lightning Center Anthony Cirelli scored two goals and an assist, and Darren Raddysh scored as the Lightning.
“It was nice to get that insurance goal pretty early,” Stamkos said. “I was pretty confident it wasn’t a high stick. It was nice to see that one go in, just the timing of the goal to give us a two-goal cushion there.”
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy made 28 saves to win his seventh straight start against the Islanders and improve to 13-4-0 against them in his career.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Lightning Head Coach Jon Cooper talked about the importance of Vasilevskiy’s recent play.
“He’s been a rock and the last 10-12 games,” Cooper said of Vasilevskiy. “When the team breaks down in front of you, someone has got to be there to clean up the mess and Vasy was there tonight.”
On the other hand, despite the Lightning’s recent winning ways, the Islanders have lost eight of their last ten games and remain stagnant at 77 points, five back of the Philadelphia Flyers for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning have nine games remaining before the playoffs begin. They will take on the Detriot Red Wings at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on April 1.