5 Takeaways: Islanders Strike Down Bolts in Game 1

Game 1 to the Island.
The New York Islanders took a 1-0 lead in their semifinal series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, as they earned a solid 2-1 victory in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon at Amalie Arena.
The win featured a full-team effort and the group's ability to stay calm and composed and play their committed game. Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock provided the scoring for the Islanders, while Semyon Varlamov recorded his fourth-straight win of the postseason with a dominant 30-save performance.
Brayden Point robbed Varlamov of the shutout with a power-play goal with 53 seconds left in the game and Andrei Vasilevskiy displayed a noble effort with 29 saves on 31 shots.

"We managed the puck, we were disciplined, we didn't take a lot of unnecessary risk," Trotz said of the win. "We checked with our feet, we made pretty good decisions and offensively, we made pretty good decisions in the offensive zone even though we only got two goals. I thought we managed the game pretty well."

SOLID, PATIENT PLAY PROMPTS GAME 1 WIN

While it wasn't a dominant effort - more of a feeling-out game from both sides - it was a stingy, level-headed execution from the Islanders, who showcased their comfort in tight-checking, low-scoring games. Tampa on the other hand, appeared frustrated by being unable to establish their high-flying, high-octane offense and was limited in their chances off the rush.
"We stayed composed, we didn't get too worried," Pulock said. "We just continued to battle... When it comes playoff time, you need all lines going and that's the reason we've had success to get to this point. We just have to keep growing our game in that aspect. I think tonight was a good step for us, I think we played the right way."
ISLES-BOLTS GAME 1
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Postgame: Pulock and Varlamov
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KINGER'S CALLS
Barzal's Breakaway
Pulock's Slapper
Another factor in the tight game was the performance displayed by both netminders, who each were locked in and made acrobatic and timely saves. While the Islanders couldn't crack Vasilevskiy right away, they stuck with it and capitalized on the opportunities they did get.
From the opening faceoff, the Islanders set the tone with a chippy start from their 'Identity Line' of Cal Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin, who shared a few immediate exchanges with the Barclay Goodrow, Yanni Gourde and Blake Coleman line. After Martin and Goodrow served unsportsmanlike conduct penalties administered eight seconds into the game, both teams skated out to a scoreless first period.
Barzal provided the icebreaker at 12:32 in the second period on a breakaway. With a 1-0 lead, the Islanders didn't show any alarm as Tampa got some chances around the net front and tried to even it up. Instead, the Islanders were composed and made smart defensive plays to assist with Varlamov's rebounds in the previous reality of the goal mouth.
In the third period, the Islanders looked unfazed as Tampa carried over 1:13 time on their first power play of the night, as Kyle Palmieri was assessed with cross checking with 37 seconds left in the second period.
Upon receiving a huge stop from the Islanders' penalty kill, their patience and persistence paid off. Pulock delivered the Islanders the eventual game-winning goal - his third of the postseason and most among all defensemen in the NHL - to double their lead 2-0 at 5:36. After grabbing Jordan Eberle's dish, Pulock walked the blueline and unleashed his signature slap shot on net. The blast proved to be too much for Vasilevskiy to handle as the puck deflected off his glove and through his legs.

Despite the Islanders normally being able to lock it down with a lead, Tampa made it a 2-1 game with 53 seconds left in regulation on Point's power-play goal. As the Bolts had pulled Vasilevskiy in exchange for an extra attacker, their offense went to work.
Brock Nelson took a high-sticking penalty on Nikita Kucherov with 1:38 left in regulation to put Tampa on its second power play of the game. Point robbed Varlamov of the shutout as he collected a pass in the low slot, showcased his nifty stickhandling in tight and lifted a shot over Varlamov's shoulder.
"There's going to be adjustments made, they're going to make adjustments," Pulock said. "They're going to come hard in Game 2. We've got to be prepared for that. It was a good win tonight but we're back at it for Game 2."

OFFENSE BREWING FOR BARZAL

Barzal provided the icebreaker at 12:32 in the second period to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead and the first goal of the series. The forward was dynamic as he scored, fired off three shots and threw one hit.
Josh Bailey sprung Barzal in the neutral zone for a breakaway. With a few explosive strides, Barzal separated himself just slightly from Bolts blueliner Jan Rutta to create space. As Rutta tried to knock him off balance, he released the puck and beat Vasilevskiy five-hole.

"It's obviously huge," Barzal said of winning Game 1. "You want to get every game, but the first one is just big, especially coming on the road in a tough building to play in, against a team who is so dynamic and explosive. It's definitely nice to get one."
Leading up to the goal, the Lightning made it a point of emphasis to try and rock the Islanders dynamic forward off of his game as they laid some extra hits and covered him tightly. But Barzal broke through, showcasing his skill and tenacity.
With the goal, the 24-year-old center tallied his fourth goal of the playoffs and his fourth in the last five games. Barzal's offense has been brewing as of late where he's totaled seven (4G, 3A) of his 10 total playoff points in five of the last six games.

VARLAMOV POSTS FOURTH-STRAIGHT WIN

It was a stifling performance from the Islanders' netminder, who was locked in with his 30 saves.
Early in the game, Varlamov was tested with some shorthanded chances from Tampa's penalty kill as he had to deny back-to-back chances on a Rutta point shot and Anthony Cirelli rebound attempt, as well as a Coleman wrist shot on the fly.
His stable play only continued as the game wore on and he made an early second period stick save on Tampa defenseman David Savard as well as on Savard's subsequent attempt. Early on in the third period before Pulock's game-winner, he snatched a strong look on Alex Killorn's one-timer from the slot.

"In our minds, Varlamov is one of the best goalies in the league," Eberle said. "It's no surprise, he's been there all year for us - him and Sorokin. We try to limit the chances that we get against him, but when there is a chance, he's been there all year for us. It's not a surprise."
With the win, the veteran recorded his fourth-straight win of the postseason. With four-straight wins from Varlamov and a four-win streak from rookie netminder Ilya Sorkin in the first round against Pittsburgh, the Islanders became the third team in NHL history to have two different goaltenders post win streaks of four or more games in the same playoff year (Boston did so in 1972 with Eddie Johnston and Gerry Cheevers and Philadelphia accomplished the feat in 1980 with Phil Myre and Pete Peeters).
"To me, goaltending is all about the timely saves," Trotz said. "We've got two that have done that for us. [Varlamov and Sorokin] have done that not just in the playoffs, they've done that all year for us. You're going to need some big saves."df

POWER PLAY STRUGGLES

While there was a lot to like about the Islanders' solid play in Game 1's win, they'll need more from their special teams after an 0-for-3 performance on the power play.
Tampa received a boost from its penalty kill, who was able to generate some lethal shorthanded looks. Varlamov came up with critical saves to not deflate his squad.
On the flipside, Tampa's power play went 1-for-2 in the loss and has been a force for their team throughout the entirety of the playoffs. The Lightning have scored a power-play goal in nine of 12 games so far this postseason and multiple power-play goals in five contests as they lead the NHL with their 42.1% conversion rate with the man advantage.
Trotz noted ahead of the game, that production from their power play will be vital in this series to try and even out the battle of special teams.

ISLANDERS FANS IN FLORIDA

Tweet from @NYIslanders: #IslesNation is everywhere.#Isles Co-Owner, Jon Ledecky, is watching Game 1 with @islesmeetup\_TPA & @islesmeetup\_ORL in Tampa! pic.twitter.com/GzbtRXhg4I
The last time these two teams met was in last year's Eastern Conference Finals in the eerily quiet atmosphere of the Edmonton bubble. While the series featured some heated moments and required six games to determine a victor - the Lightning, who went on to win the 2020 Stanley Cup - it missed out on the energy and support from having live fans in attendance.
A lot has changed in the last nine months and the return of fans in hockey arenas has been a warm welcome. While the Islanders were on the road for Game 1, they had some familiar faces sporting the Blue and Orange cheering them on. There was a vocal and passionate group of Islanders fans in attendance for Game 1 at Amalie Arena proudly chanting 'Let's Go Islanders' throughout the entirety of the game.
Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky was also in attendance and enjoyed the game with some members of the Islanders' Tampa and Orlando meetup groups.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders will try to take a 2-0 series lead as they take on the Bolts in Game 2 on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.