Lightning 4, Islanders 1
Vincent Lecavalier had a goal and an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the visiting New York Islanders on Thursday.
Mathieu Garon made 16 saves to earn his first victory for the Lightning (2-3-2), who had not won since opening night. Two of the losses came in shootouts.
Ryan Malone flipped home a rebound 16:32 into the game on the power play to give the Lightning the lead, and Lecavalier capitalized on an Islanders’ turnover to score with 4:46 left in the second.
Lightning center Steven Stamkos, playing his 250th career game, added a goal in the third off a nifty pass by Teddy Purcell (two assists). The 21-year old Stamkos already has 237 points in three-plus seasons.
Michael Grabner scored in the third for the Islanders (3-2), who had a three-game win streak snapped in their first road game.
Tampa Bay defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron assisted on Malone’s goal to extend his point streak to five games.
Garon made his best save just over a minute into the game on a wide-open Kyle Okposo in front. New York did not have a shot for the first 12:40 of the second period.