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New York Islanders Battle Tampa Bay Lightning In Game 4: Preview, News, Tweets

The New York Islanders seek to even their second round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday night.

  • Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1)
  • New York Islanders (1-2)
  • NHL, 7:00 PM on NBCSN, TVA, CBC, Full Preview
  • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Despite falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in game three, the New York Islanders are relatively confident about their chances on Friday night.

The Isles’ effort on Tuesday was encouraging, even though they walked away with a loss. The team forechecked well, were strong along the boards, and did a great job of throwing pucks at the net.

“I think it was our best game so far,” said Frans Nielsen, via Cory Wright of NHL.com. “We have to come out and try to be even better next game, but it’s frustrating right now.”

“I thought our guys played one of the best games we played all year,” Jack Capuano said. “We really played a hard game, our guys should be proud of the effort. It’s just tough the way that it ended.”

While they ultimately went down a game in the series, the players understand that Friday can provide redemption — if only they can shut down Tyler Johnson and not squander any last minute leads.

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After absorbing a tremendous hit from Brian Boyle in overtime in Game 3, Isles defenseman Thomas Hickey is poised to return to the lineup on Friday night. His progress is encouraging: Hickey was an undeniable presence on the blueline on Tuesday night.

“We sat with the doctors and stuff and through the necessary stuff,” Hickey said. “I’m feeling good.”

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Despite Elite Sports NY’s pleas for Brock Nelson to spend Game 4 in the press box, it appears as if the young forward will suit up for tonight’s game. He has tremendous playmaking acumen — but has struggled in the defensive zone and along-the-boards.

The Bolts can potentially get both Erik Condra and Matt Carle back from injuries, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Condra suffered an upper-body injury during Game 1, while Carle suffered an undisclosed injury during the same contest.

Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.