The 5 Hole: Lightning In a Bottle

The Islanders weren’t just horrible Saturday, they were embarrassed. Earlier this evening was not only another chance to right the ship, but to move ever so closer to that elusive playoff spot. In their way, was a team that also embarrassed them less than two weeks ago, in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Well, the Islanders decided to repay the favor with 5-2 throttling of the Bolts. The win was what the team needed in such a huge way. Their magic number sits at two as they head to D.C. for their last meeting with the Washington Capitals, a team they have yet to defeat this year. With a win tomorrow they can clinch a playoff position. We can all dream about hopefully seeing that “X” next to the Isles name 24 hours from now, until then check out the best hits from social media from tonight’s victory.

#Isles with some good early pressure

— Brad Kurtzberg (@sealshockey) April 4, 2016

I got called out by Cappy today. I'm going to pass my best today! #Isles

— Did Bailey Pass? (@DidBaileyPass) April 4, 2016

Okposo mixes it up with Nesterov. Tavares playing a little more physical than normal. Good pace for the #Isles to start this first period.

— Michael Zahn (@miczahn) April 4, 2016

Nesterov and Okposo drop the gloves ?? #Bolts #Isles pic.twitter.com/Ky2oifhXOo

— Steven (@DoleWhipz) April 4, 2016

Okposo's back. #islestwitter slowly puts back the cyanide.

— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) April 4, 2016

Yeah, if the Isles could play with some enthusiasm today, that would be great.

— Ana Kieu (@AnaKieu) April 4, 2016

Have the #isles picked up their shit so far tonight?

— Kevin Schultz (@Schultz88) April 4, 2016

Okposo and JT with the helpers on Pulock's 2nd career NHL goal pic.twitter.com/cRnTM9L1dO

— connor (@ConIsles) April 4, 2016

Welcome back Pulock! #isles

— Michael Schuerlein (@islesblogger) April 4, 2016

Brian strait can't do that

— AllthingsIsles (@AllthingsIsles1) April 4, 2016

See what happens when you free ?? #isles

— Mike Dente (@dente47) April 4, 2016

And it's a rare first period tally lol #isles

— Michael Schuerlein (@islesblogger) April 4, 2016

Lee tried to smooth and pop-fly lead pass, got adecent shot. Either way, #Isles are buzzing

— Islanders Insight (@IslesInsight) April 4, 2016

Josh Bailey forechecking like the terminator #isles

— Potvin's Cups (@PotvinsCupsBlog) April 4, 2016

Pulock rings one off the post. Keep shooting Ryan. Keep shooting. #Isles

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016

Pulock is one assist away from his first Gordie, lets do the damn thing Ry pic.twitter.com/h0HQMnD8yw

— connor (@ConIsles) April 4, 2016

Now Pulock and Paquette go for a tussle. #isles rookie landed a good uppercut at end there. Isles showing lots of aggression in 1st.

— Andy Graziano (@tazman19) April 4, 2016

Pulock has shown more initiative and drive in a period than most of the roster has in a week.

— Kevin Schultz (@Schultz88) April 4, 2016

My boy @rpulock everywhere tonight lets good #isles

— NY MorningWoodSports (@NYMWS) April 4, 2016

She just yelled "shoot the puck" as the Lightning carried the puck over center ice. Even if she was an #Isles fan I'd be at my limit.

— Brittany (@applesiderr) April 4, 2016

#Isles lead 1-0 after 1 period. Best 1st period they've played in a few weeks. Now they need to keep it up.

— Brad Kurtzberg (@sealshockey) April 4, 2016

When Pulock scores in the first AND tosses the gloves #isles #straitouttaBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/6NRpedZ9JW

— Kerry (@Kschwenky) April 4, 2016

Mr. Met is at the #Isles game. Simpatico, I guess.

— Brian Schiazza (@brianschiazza) April 4, 2016

DP: "Ryan Pulock is telling Jack Capuano, 'I dare you to take me out of this lineup.' " #Isles

— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) April 4, 2016

Just two friends hangin' at a hockey game. ?? #SquadGoals #Isles @MrMet pic.twitter.com/A098Xev5fl

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 4, 2016

3 turnovers on that shift by Bailey. He and Nelson have not yet answered the bell. Strome? Eh. #isles

— Andy Graziano (@tazman19) April 5, 2016

MATTY MARTIN!! 2-1
Yes! Yes! YeSUV! #isles @mattymarts17 pic.twitter.com/A2DH0Lnjr3

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 5, 2016

MARTIN!!! HUSTLE!!

— Isles Fanatics (@IslesFanatics) April 5, 2016

@mattymarts17 with the wheels of fire there ??? #isles

— Kerry (@Kschwenky) April 5, 2016

SPEED BOOSTERS….ENGAGED! What a goal! #isles

— Andrew B. (@El_Comanche15) April 5, 2016

Nelson makes it 3-1 after a pinpoint feed from Kulemin pic.twitter.com/dXkcATlTVM

— connor (@ConIsles) April 5, 2016

I see you Kule! I see you @Bnelson #Isles up 3-1 #lightning

— Shannon Hogan (@Shannon_Hogan) April 5, 2016

i just wanna brock and roll all night #isles #yesyesyes

— knightvine ☮ (@knightvine) April 5, 2016

BROCK NELSON AFTER GETTING CALLED OUT GIVES THE #ISLES A 3-1 LEAD pic.twitter.com/IcZ4Y4tsbi

— Potvin's Cups (@PotvinsCupsBlog) April 5, 2016

WHAT DID I TELL YOU!!! …. Shoot the puck gets you goals!!!!! #Isles pic.twitter.com/gkxI6et1Tz

— Schark22 (@Schark22) April 5, 2016

Can we please not send anymore #isles players to the dressing room!!!!

— T (@Riz2525) April 5, 2016

?? @TBLightning. 4-1 @NYIslanders @91Tavares 30th of year
Yes! Yes! YeSUV! #isles pic.twitter.com/gOPAKN7pgV

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 5, 2016

Goals on goals. #Isles

— Tara McDonald (@TaraJMac) April 5, 2016

This is a #good game. #isles

— Rookie Example (@KeithLHHockey) April 5, 2016

Why can't we have nice things #Isles

— Mark D (@webbard) April 5, 2016

You have to be pleased with return of energy to #Isles game, but some of those rebounds and that late 2P goal let in by Greiss is maddening.

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) April 5, 2016

Live look in at #isles locker room: pic.twitter.com/Yz1I0KoUot

— Kevin Schultz (@Schultz88) April 5, 2016

Hey @Oprah, it's me again. How do you feel about the injuries to Clutterbuck and De Haan? #isles pic.twitter.com/6Fu1ZHovCS

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 5, 2016

We need some Killer Instinct in the 3rd #Isles #FinishThem!

— Mike Powers (@MikePowers949) April 5, 2016

IS THAT CAL CLUTTERBUCK'S MUSIC I HEAR? He's back on the Islanders' bench.

— Jerry Beach (@defiantlydutch) April 5, 2016

Clutterbuck #isles pic.twitter.com/sIHi27CZff

— Richard Bosler (@rbosler1029) April 5, 2016

JB55 makes it 5-2, the Isles aren't a playoff team. pic.twitter.com/Y2zylIxnro

— connor (@ConIsles) April 5, 2016

Johnny to Johnny! Yeah baby! #islanders

— Dave Spielman (@PuckheadDad) April 5, 2016

Boychuk wants to eat too #isles pic.twitter.com/ph6qmACTAY

— Mike Canteros (@MikeyMike81) April 5, 2016

When this team is on, they are absolute fire #Isles ?????

— Jason Hoffman (@jhoffman252) April 5, 2016

Capuano calls out the team and the team has responded in a big way on home ice. That is a real positive sign. #Isles

— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) April 5, 2016

Mr. Met has his ? on you. pic.twitter.com/LvLPkqdeoD

— NHL (@NHL) April 5, 2016

Put em in a body bag! #isles

— New York Bootleg (@NewYorkBootleg) April 5, 2016

Cal Clutterbuck is invincible #isles

— Sean Croft (@SeanCroftOnAir) April 5, 2016

Lee is having a strong game. #Isles

— Wild•For•Isles (@IslesWild) April 5, 2016

Isles are 1-0 when Mr Met is in attendance #isles

— Becky (@Longislandskies) April 5, 2016

The magic number is 2 #isles #NHL

— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) April 5, 2016

How many points? #isles #LGI #NYI #ISLANDERS pic.twitter.com/XPlXO1Fvpd

— Becky (@Longislandskies) April 5, 2016