Lightning Beat Islanders, 4-2

Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) – Martin St. Louis had a goal and two assists to lead Tampa Bay to a 4-2 win over the New York Islanders.

St. Louis’ goal came with 89 seconds left in the game but was followed just 21 ticks later by an Islanders goal from John Tavares, which made it 3-2.

The Lightning got an empty-netter from Nate Thompson with 16 seconds remaining to seal the win, just their second victory in eight November tilts.

The Islanders couldn’t muster a win in Jack Capuano’s NHL debut as head coach, dropping their 11th consecutive game. Capuano was handed the reins on an interim basis when Scott Gordon was fired Monday.

“We generated some chances and we had some scoring opportunities and the outcome just wasn’t what we wanted,” said Capuano.

“I thought our energy was good.”

But Tampa Bay had all the momentum in the first period, peppering New York goalie Dwayne Roloson with 19 shots.

Steven Stamkos scored on the last one, netting a snap shot at the buzzer to make it 1-0. The puck crossed the line with .30 seconds on the clock and the goal was upheld upon review.

Roloson faced 39 shots in the game and turned aside 36.

Tampa Bay’s Dan Ellis made 34 saves on 36 shots.

“We played real strong tonight and we ended up getting two points,” said Ellis.

Lightning forward Mattias Ritola received a five-minute major for charging early in the second period — he left his feet on a hit — but the Islanders only got a three-minute power play because Tavares was whistled for roughing during the ensuing scrum.

They couldn’t score despite several good chances, including one from Josh Bailey in front of the net.

The Lightning converted on a power play for a 2-0 lead when Brett Clark got his stick on a St. Louis slap shot in front of the net, deflecting it past Roloson with 7:11 remaining in the second.

The Islanders finally got on the board with Matt Moulson’s goal about five minutes later. Moulson created his own opportunity, flipping the puck deep and then scoring on a one-timer from Zenon Konopka.

Konopka got his first point in an Islanders jersey…New York’s last win came in Tampa Bay on October 21…Gordon was hired prior to the 2008-09 season and his brief tenure ended with a mark of 64-94-23.

Tampa Bay Lightning At New York Islanders: Capuano Makes His Debut

The New York Islanders will play their first game since the firing of Scott Gordon when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight at Nassau Coliseum.

Gordon was relieved of his head coaching duties on Monday after leading the Islanders to a 4-10-3 record this year. He has been replaced by Jack Capuano on an interim basis.

Gordon was hired prior to the 2008-09 season and his brief tenure ended with a mark of 64-94-23.

Capuano will make his NHL head coaching debut tonight as he takes over the reins for an Islanders team that is currently last in the NHL with 11 points. The 44-year-old was promoted from his job as head coach of New York's AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, where Capuano led the Sound Tigers to a 133-100-8-14 record since the 2007-08 season.

"Cappy (Capuano) is coming in here with a great mind set," Islanders captain Doug Weight told his team's web site. "It's a new start. It's a fresh beginning for all of the guys on the team. It's up to us to take advantage of this opportunity to play and have this fresh feeling. We have to win some hockey games, enough of the excuses or whatever has been going on. We are starting new and hopefully Wednesday begins with a win."

The Islanders sure can use a win. After their blistering hot start (which saw them atop the entire Eastern Conference) they are now in last place in the NHL. 

While the Islanders were able to change coaches, Capuano still has to deal with an injured team and a group that can't seem to score goals or keep the puck out of their own net. 

That's not good news with the Lightning coming to town, even if they are without Vinny Lecavalier. 

(The Sports Network contributed to this report)