2 Big Points: TB 4 - NYI 3 (OT)

The Lightning came out Tuesday night like a team on a mission and took away a much need win. The Bolts dominated the Islanders in the first period with a relentless forecheck and 17 shots on goal. The period was marked by Islander penalties, 4 for 8 minutes, the first leading to the first Lightning goal. It came at 9:20 off the skate of Eric Perrin on a feed from Jason Ward. The Lightning were unable to capitalize on the other 3 penalties, and went into the locker room up 1-0.

The Bolts came out strong in the second, getting on the board again, this time it was Lecavalier netting his 49th of the year on a shot from the right slot off a nice feed from St. Louis. The Islanders answered almost immediately off a Zednik goal right off the face off in the Lightning zone. The Islanders followed that with a shorthanded goal by Richard Park at 10:13, and finished the period on an even strength goal by Miroslav Satan at 17:24. "That was a tough second period," Holmqvist said. "But we bounced back."

Down one goal in the third, the Lightning again came out strong on the forecheck, and at 4:21 Jason Ward found the back of the net, putting a loose puck by DiPietro to tie it up. The extra session continued the way the third period ended, with the Lightning putting good pressure on the Islanders in the offensive zone. Finally, :55 into overtime, the Lightning got the game winner, a redirection in front of the net by Philip Kuba off a beautiful feed by Eric Perrin. "We lost ourselves for a few minutes after the short-handed goal, but we kept ourselves together," Tortorella said. "We ended up finding a way to win one."

The Lightning sweep the season series with the fishsticks 4-0. The win gives the Lightning 84 points, just 4 behind Atlanta in the Southeast, and 4 up on Carolina. The Lightning continue their homestand Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils.

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