Come the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there's no sense in dwelling in the past, and the Tampa Bay Lightning know that.
After relinquishing home-ice advantage in a 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders in Game 1, the Lightning are well aware the next game is crucial.
"We don’t want to lose Game 1 but understand the fact we have lost Game 1 in a series both home and the road and we’ve come back," head coach Jon Cooper said Friday, in reference to Tampa Bay's three Game 1 losses in last year's Stanley Cup Final run.
"We’re just making it hard on ourselves. Plus, it makes Game 2 paramount …We got home ice, we lost it but let’s put ourselves in a position to be 1-1 when we go (to Brooklyn). We’ve done this before. Let’s draw from our experiences and the past, but we’re going to have to play a little better than we did (Tuesday) night to pull this one out."
Heading back to Brooklyn down 2-0 could pose a major problem for the Lightning, as the Islanders posted a record of 25-11-5 at the Barclays Center this season.
"The way you look at the playoffs, the next game is always a must-win," Lightning forward Alex Killorn said. "Especially at home when you're going down one game, you don't want to go to Brooklyn two games down."
Tampa Bay turned in a strong effort in Game 1, but a 33-save performance from Thomas Greiss thwarted the Lightning's comeback.
Game 2 goes Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
