The familiar way the Islanders played looked nothing like the series-opening clunker. That was the response coach Barry Trotz expected.
But this one was even more painful.
Nikita Kucherov’s goal with 8.8 seconds remaining in regulation lifted the shorthanded Lightning, down two forwards, to a 2-1 win over the Islanders and a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Game 3 is Friday night.
Despite the improved play, it was still a game of missed opportunities for the Islanders, of trying to make the perfect pass instead of shooting with more frequency at the net
They could not convert on a five-minute power play in the first period and did not get off a shot during 38-seconds of a five-on-three man advantage in the third period.