Lightning Round: Bolts extended their lead in the series but might lose two forwards

Last night the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders and extended their lead to 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Final. This time the Bolts didn’t dominate their opponent but still managed to win the game – the game-winning goal happened seven seconds before the end of the third period due to Nikita Kucherov’s shot from a perfect assist by Ryan McDonagh [Raw Charge]

Sometimes just one really good shift can win a game. The Lightning waited until there was just 19 seconds left on the clock. It started with Yanni Gourde firing a shot that Varlamov had to fend off. Ondrej Palat had a second chance. Then it looked like the Islanders might be able to clear it, but the Lightning forced a turnover. Ryan McDonagh pinched in along the boards and fired a pass through the center of the ice, right onto the stick of Nikita Kucherov. The best player on the ice didn’t miss as he wristed it by his fellow countryman to put the Lightning up by one goal with just nine seconds left on the clock.

However the Lightning finished the game with just nine forwards: first Alex Killorn boarded Brock Nelson and received a game misconduct, then Brayden Point took a big hit before the end of the first period. Point returned to the game in the second period, but left to the locker room later. Jon Cooper didn’t have update on his status during the postgame media availability, but were hopeful to provide more information tonight.

Alex Killorn could also miss some additional time, as the NHL Player Safety will discuss a potential hearing.

Without Killorn and Point the Lightning will be in a difficult situation: the team is already missing Steven Stamkos and losing another top-6 forwards will definitely hurt their depth. Mitchell Stephens is the potential replacement.

Today’s Game

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars – series tied 1-1

8:00 PM ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, SN

The teams have traded wins between themselves in the first two games: the Stars have taken the first game, while the Golden Knights have shutdown the opponent in the second. Robin Lehner has posted four shutouts in the last six games and is looking very confident.

Other News and Notes

The Lightning signed a defenseman Alex Green to a two-year, entry-level deal. He’s spent the last season in ECAC and was originally drafted in the fourth round, 121st overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Julien BriseBois has been named as a finalist for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Under him the Lightning acquired Barclay Goodrow and Blake Coleman at the last Trade Deadline and signed free agent Pat Maroon, Kevin Shattenkirk and Luke Schenn to short-term deals. The Lightning have also re-signed forward Brayden Point and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy to long-term contracts during the last offseason. Steve Yzerman previously won this award as the Tampa Bay Lightning general manager.

Reportedly the Golden Knights offered a long-term extension to Robin Lehner following his performance in the postseason.