Desperate to avoid a three-game losing skid and slumping to a 3-1 hole in the series, the New York Islanders are facing a must-win game in Brooklyn against the Tampa Bay Lightning Friday night. The Isles will certainly hope for a strong performance like in Game 3 compared to the dismal play in Game 2 and the players are fully aware.
The Isles get the slight edge as home favorites and are currently priced at -115 in moneyline markets at online book Sportsbook while the Lightning are -105. As far as the total is concerned, OVER 5 goals comes in at -125 while UNDER 5 goals is presently +105.
A late equalizer from Nikita Kucherov helped prevent the Isles from taking a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series as they were just 39 seconds from the horn before the Russian tallied his seventh of the postseason. Still, the Isles stepped their game up after a disappointing 4-1 loss in Florida in Game 2.
"It was our best game so far," center Frans Nielsen said. "Just have to come out and try to be even better next game."
The Isles will be hungry after back-to-back losses in the series, but have played quite well in that spot. They have gone 9-3 straight up in their last 12 games in such spots.
The last time the Isles have lost three or more games was a four-game skid from March 15 through March 21.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Tampa Bay Lightning opened as -110 moneyline in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total opened at 5 for those preferring over under betting, watch for the line updates during the day at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark computer prediction formulas pick a 3.1-2.8 win for the Lightning on Friday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The New York Islanders sport a record of 50-30-11 heading into this matchup, while the Tampa Bay Lightning sit at 52-33-5 on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 38-44-9 for the Islanders and 37-41-12 for the Lightning. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and New York vs Tampa Bay injuries news.
The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the New York Islanders at No. 24 and the Tampa Bay Lightning at No. 21 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the New York Islanders No. 10-ranked offense (2.82 goals per game) against a Tampa Bay Lightning defense that ranks No. 4 at 2.43 goals per game allowed. The Islanders Sportsbook has clicked at a 19.08% rate while the Lightning have a 84.75% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Tampa Bay was a 5-4 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against the Islanders. They won as -101 underdogs, while the total score of 9 made Sportsbooks of OVER bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Tampa Bay home to New York, Sunday, May 8th