Islanders Shot at Cup Falls Short ... Again

 LIGHTNING 1 - ISLANDERS 0; Tampa wins series 4-3

There was a lot of excitement in the New York metro area the past 48 hours after the Islanders staged a late comeback in Game 6, winning 3-2 and forcing a Game 7 in Tampa Bay on Friday night. For the first time all season, seemingly in years, the New York Islanders, New York's forgotten team was forgotten no more. 

Could the Isles head to the Cup for the first time since 1984? Could they win it all for the first time since 1983? Against the Canadianes, normally a fellow Eastern Conference foe, who got stuck playing Las Vegas in this bizarre COVID season? Could it be? 

The answer was a resounding no. 

The Islanders never got their offense going in Game 7, attempting only 18 shots on goal the entire game. Tampa controlled the puck, the pace of the game, and found a way to make one goal -- a shorthanded shot by Yanni Gourde -- stand up. The Lightning attempted 31 shots on goal. Give Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov credit, because he was under siege all night. 

So the hopes and dreams of those on the island were dashed for the second straight season against Tampa Bay. The Lightning were the better team. They'll probably win the Cup for the second straight season.