Don't miss the #Isles as they take on the Lightning tonight at Barclays Center. Tune in to MSG+ at 7 PM! pic.twitter.com/kf1NrcpJut
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016
The New York Islanders’ playoff push continues against a Lightning team without it’s superstar center.
- New York Islanders (42-26-9)
- Tampa Bay Lightening (45-28-5)
- NHL, Today, 7:00 PM on TVA/MSG+
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
There’s no Steven Stamkos for the New York Islanders to worry about tonight.
Stamkos leads his team with 36 goals, and is tied for the lead in points with 64. He played a major role in Tampa Bay’s 7-4 thrashing of New York 10 days ago, but is done for the regular season after learning of a blood clot in his arm.
The seven goals scored were a season-high allowed by the Isles.
With three games left for the Islanders, who sit two points behind the Rangers with a game in hand for 3rd place in the Metro Division, this game proves to be about as important as it looks.
In fact, it’s important for both clubs, because the Lightning are just two points behind the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Isles Head Coach Jack Capuano revealed a refreshing sense of urgency from his normally stoic behavior for his team to lock in a playoff spot.
He ripped into the offensive threesome of Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome, and Josh Bailey due to a lack of effort:
“[They] need to pick their s**t up and start playing”
You don’t say, Coach. In 76 games played for Nelson and Bailey, they totaled 38 and 32 points, respectively. For Strome, in 66 games played, just 26 points.
The magic number for the Isles is just four.
Meaning, this team is simply two wins away from securing a playoff birth in their first season playing in Brooklyn.
Capuano: Greiss in goal tonight. Pulock in for Strait. Berube is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. #Isles
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016
Game day! #Isles take on the Lightning tonight at Barclays Center. Gear up for game time >>https://t.co/eeIYr4QaPZ pic.twitter.com/9KTYqZ1ubr
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/ConIsles/status/716991901069615104
Morning skate and media in Syosset this AM. #Isles pic.twitter.com/okClwmuVUW
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016
#Isles Injury Update: Adam Pelech has been loaned to Bridgeport on conditioning.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016
RT if you're with us tonight & you could end up watching the @NYIslanders in style! #ISLESonMSG #ISLES pic.twitter.com/55LnXS7kzw
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) April 4, 2016
