Lightning Open Two-Game Road Trip Saturday on Long Island
Tampa Bay visits UBS Arena to face the Islanders, who may be without Bo Horvat after a hit to the head Thursday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning open a two-game road trip Saturday night at UBS Arena, facing the New York Islanders at 7:30 p.m. ET. It is Tampa Bay's only visit to Elmont this season and the first of three meetings between the clubs.
The Islanders may be missing their centre. Bo Horvat scored twice in Thursday's 4-1 win over Chicago, then left late in the third period after an illegal check to the head from Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar. Nazar was given a five-minute match penalty. Horvat was scheduled to be examined by doctors Friday, and his status for Saturday is unknown, according to NHL.com.
Across their three meetings with New York last season, the Lightning had no wins, two regulation losses and one overtime loss. Nikita Kucherov had two points in two games in the series. He leads active Tampa Bay players against the Islanders with 11 goals and 28 assists for 39 points in 34 games. Jake Guentzel has 14 goals and 24 assists for 38 points in 36 career games against New York, split between the Lightning and Pittsburgh.
In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy owns a 14-5-1 career record against the Islanders with a .937 save percentage. Dennis Hildeby has yet to start a game against them. Tampa Bay is 60-47-11 all-time against New York, and 26-29-4 on the road.
The trip continues Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the New York Rangers.
