Lightning 1 - 5 Islanders
Final
  for this game

Isles send Lightning to 5th straight loss

Dec 7, 2011 - 6:45 AM Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - John Tavares and Matt Moulson each picked up a goal and one assist, as the New York Islanders downed Tampa Bay, 5-1, at Nassau Coliseum.

Matt Martin, and Milan Jurcina also tallied for the Islanders, who have reeled off four wins in their last five games.

David Ullstrom notched his first NHL goal and Al Montoya stopped 23 shots for New York, which was coming off a 3-0-1 road trip.

Martin St. Louis had the lone score for the Lightning, who tied a season high with their fifth straight defeat. Mathieu Garon allowed all five goals on 34 shots in the setback.

"It's tough," said St. Louis. "We are a fragile team right now."

Ullstrom netted the milestone marker at the 3:19 of the third period, ripping a shot home from the left circle off a drop-pass from Josh Bailey for a 4-1 Isles edge.

Moulson added a late power-play score -- with helpers from Tavares and P.A. Parenteau -- to seal the victory with 2:35 to play.

Tampa's first shot of the game resulted in the game's first goal, as St. Louis appeared to chop a Brett Clark drive out of the air and between Montoya's pads at 6:55 of the opening period.

Tavares evened the score on a wrister from the outer edge of the right circle at 14:01, and the Islanders went ahead with 1:34 left in the first when Martin converted a Tim Wallace dish in front.

"We got down early in the game," said Islanders coach Jack Capuano. "We battled back and right now the guys are showing that no matter what the score of the game is or no matter what adversity we face they will continue to work hard."

It was 3-1 after one period when Jurcina's tap-in from the left side hit the net in the final six seconds on a New York advantage.

The hosts failed to increase their lead in the second period, despite heavy pressure at times. Mark Streit had the best opportunity roughly midway through, but hit the right post on an open chance.

Montoya and Garon each made 11 stops in the second.

Game Notes

The Islanders have won two of the three meetings this season, with the final one slated for Tampa Bay on March 24...Tavares and Martin both snapped 13- game goal droughts dating back to November 5 against Washington...Moulson has scored in five straight games...Tampa also lost five in a row from October 8-17.






Related News