NEW YORK, 14 April 2004 — Nikolai Khabibulin made 28 saves as the Tampa Bay Lightning took the series lead with a 3-0 win over the New York Islanders in the third game of their Eastern Conference opening round match-up in Uniondale on Monday.
Tampa Bay lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 following the third consecutive 3-0 scoreline between the sides ahead of Game Four, also in Uniondale, today.
Khabibulin made several brilliant saves, especially during the first period, as the No. 1 seeded Lightning were out-shot 28-24 by the eighth-seeded Islanders.
It was the third career playoff shutout for Khabibulin and second of this series. New York’s Rick DiPietro posted the shutout in Game Two.
Brad Richards opened the scoring just 3:40 into the opening period on a power play, which turned out to be the only goal that Khabibulin would need.
Richards also assisted on Martin St. Louis’ goal less than three minutes later, with those goals holding up until the third period.
St. Louis added his second of the night into an empty net with 10 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.
The Islanders were playing for the first time this playoff season in front of their usually raucous fans.
But those supporters had turned on the team by the third period, booing the side after the Islanders were consistently frustrated by the Lightning’s tight checking.
DiPietro made 21 saves in goal for the Islanders.
In other playoff action, Patrik Elias scored a pair of goals as the New Jersey Devils got back into their series with the Philadelphia Flyers by winning Game Three 4-2 in East Rutherford.
Scott Gomez added three assists for the Devils, who still trail the series 2-1 ahead of Game Four in East Rutherford today.
Paul Martin and Brian Gionta scored the other goals for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who got a clutch 23-save performance from Martin Brodeur.
Jeremy Roenick and Tony Amonte scored the goals for the Flyers, who twice gave up one-goal leads.
In Ottawa, Ed Belfour made 37 saves for his second straight shutout as the Toronto Maple Leafs blanked the Ottawa Senators 2-0.
Toronto take a 2-1 series lead with the win, with Game Four in Ottawa today as the Senators struggle to find a way to beat Belfour, who also blanked them 2-0 in Game Two in Toronto.
Belfour remains tied with New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur for playoff victories with 84 for the lead among active goalies with the win. It was the veteran’s 13th career playoff shutout, second behind Brodeur among active goalies.
Joe Nieuwendyk opened the scoring with a power-play goal early in the second period and that goal held up until Mats Sundin scored late in the third period to provide some insurance.
In Dallas, Steve Ott scored at 2:11 of overtime to give the Stars a vital 4-3 comeback win over the Colorado Avalanche in their Western Conference opening round series.
Colorado still leads 2-1, with Game Four in Dallas today.
The Avalanche had a 3-1 lead on goals by Milan Hejduk, Riku Hahl and Steve Konowalchuk, but the Stars rallied to tie the game on Phillippe Boucher’s goal at 13:53 of the third period to set the stage for Ott’s overtime winner.
Jason Arnott and Scott Young scored the other goals for the Stars.
In St. Louis, Mike Sillinger scored three goals to give the Blues a convincing 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
San Jose still lead the Western Conference series 2-1, with Game Four in St. Louis tomorrow.
Dallas Drake scored the other goal for the Blues, while Chris Osgood made 19 saves in goal.
Jonathan Cheechoo scored the lone goal for the Sharks.
