NHL Playoffs: New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning [Game 2 discussion thread]

After a two-day break from the opening of their series, the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning are back at it Saturday afternoon for Game 2 in Tampa.

The Isles hold a 1-0 series lead after holding on for the win after opening a big lead in Game 1. As the home team, the Lightning should be bringing their most focused, energetic effort to avoid falling behind 0-2 before the series switches to Barclays Center in New York.

Lightning vs. Islanders Game 2

Isles lead series 1-0
3 p.m. EDT | Amelie Arena, Tampa
TV: NBC (broadcast network), CBC, TVA
Radio: WFAN, 88.7 FM, 101.9 FM
Opposing coverage: Lightning blog Raw Charge

Lineup Notes: TBD

The Islanders were sure to start Thomas Greiss. The rest of the lineup was, as is playoff custom, to be declared at game time. Wild cards for that might include the possible return of Ryan Pulock, who is working his way back from an injury suffered in the first round. Marek Zidlicky played well in the final two games of the Panthers series, but he did look a little vulnerable to the speed of the Lightning forwards in Game 1.

However, Arthur Staple of Newsday reported Pulock was more likely to return for Game 3. In that story, Jack Capuano talked about some matchups he didn't like in Game 1.

UPDATE: Isles lineup stays the same.

No changes for #Isles. No Matt Carle for TBL.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 30, 2016

The Lightning are sure to start Ben Bishop again after a bad Game 1 for him. He historically bounced back from those well, and he cites a sports psychologist's pep talk many years ago for helping him take the right mindset to such situations.

That Tampa Bay Times story about Bishop also mentions that Anton Stralman is "not near" ready to return, while defesnseman Matt Carle and wingers Mike Blunden and Erik Condra were questionable due to "day to day" injury prognoses.

All were involved in pre-game skate. UPDATE: But not for the warmup. Carle is out.

Would think Vermin slots in for Condra, unless #tblightning goes with 7 D and inserts Koekkoek and Taormina (in absence of Carle)

— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) April 30, 2016

Triplets Back?

Ondrej Palat, an original member of the "Triplets" line, was back with them (Nikita Kucherov and Tyler Johnson) in Alex Killorn's place at Friday's practice. Look for that as a possible line shuffle development today.

How's the Ice?

The Isles are in their second round of switching between games at Barclays Center, where ice conditions have been a problem, to Florida, where maintaining NHL-caliber ice is always a challenge. Amelie Arena had a concert last night; we'll see if the quick turnaround affects conditions toady.

Trivia/History

The Isles haven't led a series 2-0 since 1983. What the heck, lots of history being updated this spring, right? Might as well add another.