Islanders rock Roloson, beat Lightning

TAMPA, Fla. -- Posting a shutout in his first appearance after being traded to Tampa Bay on Jan. 1, Tampa Bay goaltender Dwayne Roloson made a quick impression on his new teammates. In the following 10 games, he added three more.

He did not earn his fifth Tuesday night -- the Islanders beat the Lightning, 5-2 -- but the 41-year-old has flourished in Tampa.

Roloson fell against his former teammates, surrendering four goals (the fifth was an empty-netter), but he'll be heading to the postseason for the first time in five years.

"When you leave an organization it's tough and sad at the same time, but when you come into a new one that's great, it brings up your spirits," Roloson said before Tuesday night's contest. "One of those ups and downs emotionally. For me it was a good change and it's been great so far."

Boasting a 14-9-4 record with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage heading into Tuesday night's game, Roloson stopped 23 of 27 shots.

He surrendered his first goal of the game to Josh Bailey, who tallied on the power play to tie the game at 1 at 10:22 in the first. Former Islander Nate Thompson scored his ninth goal of the season to give his Bolts a 1-0 lead 1:01 into the game.

Defenseman Milan Jurcina picked up his second assist on Kyle Okposo's redirection at 5:16 of the second and Matt Martin showed some skill with a deft backhander that beat Roloson at 13:39.

Frans Nielsen scored his league-leading sixth shorthanded goal of the season in the third to give the Islanders a three-goal lead. Michael Grabner scored his 31st of the season into an empty net with less than a minute remaining. Goaltender Al Montoya made 36 saves.

With Tuesday night's loss, the Lightning, who are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, failed to pick up two points for the fourth time in five games.

"They're playing great hockey right now and we aren't playing our best hockey," Roloson said. "We need to start playing our best hockey. We have 10 games left in the season and we need to get ready to put a postseason push together."

According to his teammates and coach Guy Boucher, Roloson is not afraid to step up and serve as a vocal leader.

Considering the playoff experience he has -- Roloson led the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006 -- people are willing to listen.

"He's definitely a world-class goalie and he's helped us win some games this year," Steven Stamkos said. "He just brings that veteran leadership, that presence. He's carried a team to the Stanley Cup Finals before so he knows what winning is all about."

Said Boucher: "He's a guy that has insight and he's not afraid to share it. We love leadership at any level and he's certainly added to that."

Shipped to a contending team, Roloson may have gotten the better end of the deal, but he said he still thinks fondly of the year and a half spent with the Islanders. "Lot of great memories," Roloson said.