Lightning within 1 win of Cup Final after Game 4 victory over Islanders
Brayden Point provided the dagger in his return to the lineup as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Islanders 4-1 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final to take a 3-1 series lead Sunday.
Lightning forward Blake Coleman tied the game 15 seconds after Brock Nelson opened the scoring for the Islanders midway through the second period, and it was all Tampa Bay after Coleman's marker.
Ondrej Palat tallied 12 seconds later, Point gave the Lightning an insurance goal early in the third period, and Pat Maroon added a late empty-netter to seal the victory.
Tampa Bay controlled a larger share of expected goals but the Islanders held an edge in scoring chances and shot attempts.
| Category | Islanders | Lightning |
|---|---|---|
| xGF% | 43.6 | 56.4 |
| SCF% | 55.32 | 44.68 |
| Corsi For % | 52.81 | 47.29 |
(Courtesy: Natural Stat Trick, all stats at five-on-five)
Point added an assist in the contest while Nikita Kucherov also collected a pair of helpers, as the two teammates continue to lead all skaters still competing with 25 points apiece in the postseason. However, Point has buried three more goals than his linemate, and he's done it while playing one fewer game.
The Lightning are looking to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2015 when the Chicago Blackhawks beat them in six games.