3 questions heading into Lightning’s New York road trip

Harrison Smajovits highlights three key questions for the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of their two-game New York road trip against the Islanders and Rangers. Tampa Bay enters the trip on a three-game winning streak but faces challenges given their 1-4-1 record against New York teams last season. The writer notes that New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin recently suffered a major injury, while New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin has started the season in strong form.

The preview also examines Tampa Bay's special teams and blue line production. Smajovits observes that a restructured top power-play unit recently produced a decisive goal from John Carlson in a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Additionally, the writer questions when defensemen Victor Hedman, Ryan McDonagh, and JJ Moser will register their first points of the season after remaining scoreless through four games.