Sunday, 3 a.m.
The winter cruise of the Tampa Bay Lightning was almost interrupted Saturday afternoon.
The late-March burst of the Bolts continued for most of their game against the New York Islanders. In the third period, the Bolts led 4-0, continuing a three-game streak where the Bolts had outscored their opponents 18-1.
Ah, but the Isles gave Tampa Bay a scare, scoring three goals on three shots in a three-minute span. The Bolts survived, 5-3, on Jake Guentzel’s empty-net goal with 14 seconds to play.
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Brayden Point had two goals for the Bolts. He’s scored six goals in his last five games and now has 38 on the season.
The Bolts also got goals from Nikita Kucherov (33 on the season), Nick Perbix and Guentzel (37).
Kucherov had four more points in his quest for a second straight Art Ross trophy.
Backup goalie Jonas Johannson faced 38 shots in getting his eighth win of the season.
The Bolts play the Islanders again Tuesday night, this time on the road. The game begins at 7:30 p.m.