Varlamov, Nelson Lead Islanders past Lightning 5-1

TAMPA, Fla. — Semyon Varlamov stopped 31 shots, Brock Nelson scored twice in the third period, and the New York Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 on Monday night.

Ross Johnston, Josh Bailey and Anders Lee also scored for the Islanders, who are 18-0-1 when scoring three or more goals.

Tampa Bay got a goal from Steven Stamkos. Curtis McElhinney stopped 19 shots.

Varlamlov made an in-close rebound save on Stamkos and a diving glove grab on Pat Maroon early in the third.

In addition to Nelson’s goals at 7:31 and 14:41, Lee added a power-play goal with 3:55 remaining.

The Islanders got on the scoreboard first. After Tampa Bay’s Cory Conacher failed to score on a breakaway, Johnston put the Islanders up 1-0 on the ensuing rush at 6:44 of the second.

Ross Johnston New York Islanders
Ross Johnston, New York Islanders (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Bailey made it 2-0 with a short-handed breakaway goal 1:53 later. The Lightning lost control of the puck in the offensive zone during a 4-on-2 and Casey Cizikas dove forward to swipe the puck ahead to Bailey.

On the same Tampa Bay power play, McElhinney turned aside Nelson’s breakaway shot.

Stamkos cut the deficit to 2-1 on an in-close backhander that went off the mask of a diving Varlamov with 4:25 left in the second.

Tampa Bay had an apparent goal by Victor Hedman with 10:07 to play taken away after a video review clearly showed that Anthony Cirelli was offside.

NOTES

New York D Nick Leddy (lower body) didn’t play and is day to day. … Tampa Bay C Tyler Johnson (lower body) sat out and could miss a few games. … Bailey stopped a nine-game goal drought. … Lightning D Kevin Shattenkirk had an assist and has 14 assists and 18 points in 17 games against the Islanders. … New York D Johnny Boychuk assisted on Bailey’s goal for his first point in 17 games.

UP NEXT

Islanders: At Florida on Thursday night to complete a three-game trip.

Lightning: At Florida on Tuesday night.

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Mark Didtler, The Associated Press