Islanders, Lightning mix it up as New York pulls out gutsy 5-3 victory in Game 3
The New York Islanders pulled off a gutsy effort after blowing a 3-1 lead Friday night, then the rough stuff began.
Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau was skating toward an empty Tampa Bay net to seal a 5-3 victory in Game 3 when he was hooked by Lightning star Nikita Kucherov, leading to a delayed penalty. Before Pageau put the puck in the net, Kucherov delivered a big slash to his opponent’s leg.
Pageau objected and went after Kucherov following his goal, sparking a scrum.
Five players were handed misconducts in the melee: Pageau and teammate Cal Clutterbuck, plus the Lightning’s Kucherov, Mikhail Sergachev and Victor Hedman.
