Lightning 3 - 4 Islanders
Final
  for this game

Islanders try to notch home win vs. Lightning

Jan 21, 2013 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - The New York Islanders will try to get a win at Nassau Coliseum before embarking on five-game road trip, as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday afternoon.

The Islanders are beginning this shortened season with consecutive games on home ice before spending the rest of January on the road. New York dropped its home opener on Saturday, losing a 2-1 decision to the rival New Jersey Devils.

David Clarkson scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period for the reigning Eastern Conference champion Devils.

Travis Hamonic registered a power-play goal for the Isles, while Evgeni Nabokov notched 26 saves in the loss.

"It's not the way that we wanted to start in front of our fans," Hamonic admitted. "We came out, in my opinion, a little bit flat. We just weren't executing at the start."

The Islanders will begin their five-game swing Thursday in Toronto before making stops in Boston, Winnipeg, Pittsburgh and New Jersey.

The Lightning, meanwhile, posted a home win in their season opener on Saturday, as they slammed the visiting Washington Capitals by a 6-3 score at Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Martin St. Louis had two goals, including the deciding tally early in the third period, and an assist. Eric Brewer also scored twice, while Vincent Lecavalier and Cory Conacher added a goal apiece for the Lightning. Steven Stamkos, who led the NHL with 60 goals in 2011-12, chipped in two assists to the winning cause.

"It was a great character win and we have got to build on that," Stamkos said.

Anders Lindback had a solid debut for the Lightning, stopping 27 shots in the victory. Lindback was acquired from Nashville in an offseason trade and is expected to be Tampa's No. 1 goaltender this season.

The Lightning have another road game at Carolina on Tuesday before returning to Florida for a five-game homestand.

New York and the Lightning have split the last 12 meetings against each other, but Tampa Bay has lost in its last three trips to Long Island.






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