=== Lightning try to jolt offense, grab 2-0 lead ===

Tampa, FL (Best E Casino) - The top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning try to grab a two games to none lead today when they host the New York Islanders in Game 2 of their conference quarterfinal set at the St. Pete Times Forum.

The Bolts had many doubters entering Thursday's series opener, and they responded with a 3-0 victory. It was by no means a perfect showing, but any problems were offset by a 30-save performance from goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin.

"Nik was outstanding," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "That's good for Nik to play a game like that and get a win. It was tremendous for him. That was one of his better games."

Fredrik Modin tallied a pair of goals for Tampa, and bruiser Andre Roy broke the ice with a breakaway goal in the second period.

The performance of the Tampa Bay defense and Khabibulin allowed the Lightning's high-powered offense to get away with one, as the club's top guns, with the exception of Modin, were relatively held in check. The top two lines were limited to a mere nine shots, and three came from center Vincent Lecavalier.

"We didn't generate as much offense as we'd like, but we scored some goals when we needed to," Tortorella said. "In the playoffs, you don't overanalyze."

The one x-factor the Islanders had in their corner was young netminder Rick DiPietro, a kid getting his first taste of playoff action as a starter. DiPietro, who shined down the stretch run, finished with just 15 saves on the night. In fairness to him, though, two of the three Lightning goals directly came as a result of turnovers by New York's Eric Cairns.

Islanders coach Steve Stirling was asked whether or not he would consider a lineup change for Cairns after his two mistakes.

"We told him, 'We're going to stick with you. Make mistakes. I'm coming back with you,'" Stirling said. "And we've done that and will continue to do that because it's the right way to go."

As New York goes back to the drawing board, it might also want to take a look at its power play. The Isles went 0-for-5 with the man advantage, including three blown chances in the first period. They managed only one shot during that early trio of opportunities.

The Isles could receive a spark in their rebound attempt, as feisty forward Jason Blake may return after missing six games with an ankle sprain. He will be a game-time decision.

Game 3 will be played Monday night on Long Island.