The Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the New York Islanders with a 1-0 win in Game 7 on Friday. In what was a strong defensive performance, Tampa Bay is now headed to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year.
Game Recap
Following a Game 6 loss, the biggest question heading into Game 7 surrounded Nikita Kucherov’s health. Although he seemed in pain, Kucherov suited up and played in Game 7. The first period was all Tampa Bay from beginning to end. The Lightning recorded the first shot of the period, and went on to shoot another 14. On the other hand, New York sprinkled in a couple of shots from time to time, with five in the period. However, no goals were scored by either team.
Fifty seconds into the second period, Barclay Goodrow took the first and only penalty of the game. What looked to be a turning point for the Isles ended up being a blessing in disguise for Tampa Bay. After a poor defensive play by New York, Anthony Cirelli had the puck down low. Cirelli threaded the needle to Yanni Gourde for a shorthanded goal. Tampa Bay continued to dominate, outshooting the Isles 12-6.
In the third, Mat Barzal led the Islanders into a 20 minute battle to try and keep their season alive. However, Tampa Bay locked up on defense to prevent a comeback. The Lightning blocked 10 shots in the 3rd and a total of 21 in the game. Tampa Bay also recorded three takeaways in the third period. Putting on a defensive clinic, Tampa Bay survived a late surge by New York to win 1-0.
Vasilevskiy was a sight to see, stopping all 18 shots for his fourth shutout of this year’s playoffs.
Takeaways/Notes
- Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded zero shutouts in his first 57 career playoff games. The Russian goalie now has five shutouts in his last 19 games. These five shutouts tie Nikolai Khabibulin and Ben Bishop for most postseason shutouts in Lightning history.
- Yanni Gourde scored the NHL’s 34th all-time shorthanded goal in a game 7. Only six of those also won the series: Yanni Gourde (2021 SCSF), Steve Larmer (1990 DF), Dave Poulin (1989 DF), Brian Propp (1987 DF), Dave Keon (1964 SF), Leo Reise Jr. (1949 SF).
- Tampa Bay has made their third final in seven seasons, and their fourth all-time.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy has been clutch in securing a series win. He is the first goalie in NHL history to record three series-clinching shutouts in a single postseason.
- Erik Cernak had three shots, four hits and two blocks in 19:50 of ice time after missing two games with an upper-body injury.
Up Next
Tampa Bay will play the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Finals. Game 1 is scheduled for Monday, June 28, at 8:00 PM EST.