NEW YORK — The Lightning won 46 games during the regular season, while the Islanders won 45. Tampa Bay had 97 points, while New York had 100. Through three games of their Eastern Conference semifinal, the aggregate score is 12-10 in favor of the Bolts after a 5-4 overtime win on Tuesday, secured by Brian Boyle at the 2:48 mark of the extra session.
It is the kind of series that feels silly to try to explain, because there is no defining trend in it. The Islanders got out to a big lead in Game 1, nearly squandered it, but hung on.