Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Matt Martin of the Islanders react after their team's 1-0 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
TAMPA, Fla. – The bitter disappointment may always linger. And that’s just how coach Barry Trotz believes it should be.
If this Islanders group eventually gets to lift the Stanley Cup, their 1-0 loss to the two-time-champion Lightning in Game 7 of the NHL semifinals last June will be one of the most important motivating factors.