Despite being shoved into Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov by New York defenseman Adam Pelech, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point received a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference during the first period of Game 2.
WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO?#GoBolts Brayden Point goes HARD into #Isles Semyon Varlamov
β BobbyLotsOfNumbers (@TheReplayGuy) June 16, 2021
π₯ @NHLonNBCSports pic.twitter.com/Hds5bdwtYb
The Islanders scored on the ensuing power play to tie up the contest and were met with loud boos from the Lightning crowd.
The @NYIslanders respond to tie it up 1-1 in the first! #Isles pic.twitter.com/k1IJjwmk0T
β NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) June 16, 2021
Varlamov missed the second half of the first period after the collision but returned for the beginning of the second frame. Ilya Sorokin stopped all six shots he faced in relief.
Islanders head coach Barry Trotz confirmed postgame Varlamov was pulled from the game by a concussion spotter, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.
Tampa Bay defeated New York 4-2 to even up the semifinal series.
