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The New York Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 in dominating fashion. The Islanders scored four goals in the first period, and John Tavares got a point on each goal.

Tavares started the scoring 36 seconds into the first period when he took a wrist shot from the left face-off circle. Tampa defenseman Victor Hedman tried to swat the rebound into the corner, but instead slapped it right into his own goal.

Stamkos scored the lone goal for the Lightning at 7:10 of the first period when he deflected a Marc-Andre Bergeron shot past Islanders goaltender Al Montoya.

Matt Moulson made it 2-1 Islanders about two minutes after the Stamkos goal. He slammed home a rebound after a point shot by Mark Eaton rang off the crossbar.

Tavares got his second goal of the night at 15:15 of the first on a beautiful passing play. P.A. Parenteau made a great pass to Moulson who put a cross-crease pass right on the stick of Tavares who slammed it home.

Parenteau finished off the scoring in the first period. Tavares made a great pass to Parenteau who was sitting on the side of the net. Parenteau just tapped into an open net after Tavares' pass brought Tampa goalie Dwayne Roloson out of position. Tavares started the play by stealing the puck from the Tampa defenseman in the slot.

Michael Grabner got the Islanders fifth goal on a rebound of a Kyle Okposo wrist shot on a two-on-one in the second period.

Al Montoya made 34 saves on 35 shots in his third straight start of the season. Montoya has started all three games so far this season, and will most likely get the start on Saturday night against the Rangers.

Dwayne Roloson made 13 saves on 18 shots and was pulled after the fifth goal. Michael Garon replaced Roloson and stopped all 16 shots he faced.

Notes:

Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald led all players in total ice time with 23:29 minutes played.

The Islanders are 2-1 to start the season.

Tampa Bay drops to 1-2-1.

The announced attendance was 9,759

John Tavares left the game with five minutes remaining with what he said was leg cramps.

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