TAMPA, Fla. — However the Islanders are perceived is not of utmost importance to their players. But management knows it matters.
"I think winning matters," Cal Clutterbuck said. "I think winning, it’s what’s important to us. Everyone’s opinion is different. Everyone is entitled to it. But, no we don’t think about it."
The Islanders’ immediate focus is Tuesday night’s Game 2 of their NHL semifinal series against the Lightning at Amalie Arena after stifling their opponent’s potent attack in Sunday afternoon’s 2-1 win.
But the Lightning’s perception, both immediately following the game and after both teams had optional practices on Monday, was that the Game 1 result had more to do with their own failures than the Islanders’ success.