Lightning trash Islanders 5-0, secure playoff spot

Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 38 shots to secure the shutout, Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos notched within 2 minutes in the 2^nd period, and the Lightning secured their 6^th straight postseason berth after beating New York Islanders 5-0 on Saturday.

The Lightning have CLINCHED ⚡

Tampa Bay will face Toronto in the First Round for a second straight year 🍿 pic.twitter.com/NMxdhy0W9w

— ESPN (@espn) April 2, 2023

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Tampa Bay Lightning know their opponent in the 1^st round, and it is Toronto Maple Leafs.

Tampa Bay reached the Stanley Cup in their last 3 postseasons and clinched the title in 2020 and 2021, and they will play again in the playoffs as this is the 9^th time for their head coach Jon Cooper in his 10 full seasons with the franchise from Florida.

Sergachev, Jeannot, and Point notched the other goals for the impressive victory.

New York Islanders will make a trip to play against Carolina Hurricanes, while Tampa Bay will visit the Big Apple to face New York Rangers.