TAMPA, Fla. — Every playoff series follows a similar pattern regardless of the game-to-game results. Teams play with increasing desperation and urgency as the eventual outcome nears.
The Lightning believe they didn’t start their NHL semifinal series against the Islanders with enough of either. The Islanders know they started at a good level but still need to ratchet that up.
Game 2 on Tuesday night at Amalie Arena would be a test of which team was more successful after the Islanders won, 2-1, in Sunday afternoon’s Game 1. The series shifts to Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night.