The Islanders look to take a commanding 2-0 lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning this afternoon. New York has not led a series 2-0 since sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the 1983 Stanley Cup Final.
The first time in long time tour continues as the Islanders can also win four straight playoff games for the first time since 1984 when they defeated the Canadiens for their 19th straight playoff series win.
Standing in their way are the Lightning, who have won five consecutive Game 2's, four of them after losing the first game of the series. The Isles themselves, have lost five consecutive Game 2's after winning the opening game of a series.
The Bolts will be down another defenseman as Matt Carle is day-to-day with an unspecified injury. Winger Erik Condra is also day-to-day. Condra left Game 1 in the first period after being checked into the board by Casey Cizikas. The game turned in the Isles favor following the hit.
The Isles got a little break in the schedule as there were two days between Games 1 and 2. The team looked gassed in the third period of Game 1. Thomas Greiss kept the game from going into overtime on his own. Greiss is 5-2 with a 1.94 GAA and a .941 save percentage in seven playoff starts.
The Isles are clearly in Vezina Trophy nominee Ben Bishop's head. New York needs to get on him early and often. John Tavares will probably be the one to do it. The captain's 11 points lead the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Ryan Strome made his return to the lineup in Game 1 and played on a line with Shane Prince and Brock Nelson. The newly formed line combined to score six points in Game 1. Prince had two goals.
Head coach Jack Capuano is expected to be behind the bench for the game. Capuano joked that he was day-to-day after taking a puck to the face in the third period of Game 1.
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers were swept by the Toronto Marlies in the first round of the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs. The Islanders recalled seven players to form this year's "Black Aces"
The biggest name here is Michael Dal Colle. The 2014 fifth overall pick joined the Sound Tigers following Kingston's exit in the OHL playoffs. The youngest player is 18-year-old Parker Wotherspoon. The 2015 fourth round pick joined the Sound Tigers on a ATO following the WHL playoffs. Bracken Kearns, Marc-Andre Cliche, Justin Florek, Scott Mayfield and Christopher Gibson will join the team for today's game.