Islanders Look to Get Back in Series in Game 3

The New York Islanders suffered late-game heartbreak in Game 2 as the Lightning scored the go-ahead goal with less than eight seconds to play in the third period. But with Tampa Bay possibly missing a couple of key players in Game 3, it may be New York’s time to strike.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

This game opened with the Lightning as favorites at -154 and the line has shifted in both directions. Depending on the book, you can find the line anywhere from -152 to -160. The total opened at 6.5 and has plummeted a full goal and a half down to 5 across the board.

Tampa Bay News & Notes

The highest-scoring team from the regular season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have largely carried that success over to the playoffs. But through two games of the Eastern final, they have been limited to just 13 and 17 scoring chances respectively, two of the team’s lowest totals since the restart. Even Tampa Bay’s eight-goal outburst in Game 1 included three power-play goals and the Lightning actually had fewer scoring chances than the Islanders at 5-on-5 (15-13).

Now with top scorer Brayden Point questionable and key forward Alex Killorn suspended for Friday’s game, this Lightning team may struggle a little more than usual for goals, which may speak to the total dropping from 6.5 to 5.

Luckily for Tampa Bay, there are no questions at the other end of the rink where Andrei Vasilevskiy will again be between the pipes. The Lightning have allowed the fewest goals of the four remaining teams.

New York News & Notes

Although their style of play has been labeled as “boring,” the Islanders are actually the highest-scoring team remaining in the playoffs (tied with Dallas) as only eliminated Colorado has scored more goals than New York.

But that scoring touch has dried up in this series with the Isles managing just three goals in two games. Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, New York’s leading scorers in the playoffs, have both been held without a point.

However, there are signs of life for New York as both games have been fairly equal in terms of scoring chances and high-danger scoring chances. The Islanders have out-chanced the Lightning 31-30 at 5-on-5 in the two games combined.

Betting Pick: Islanders +135

We make this bet with the caveat that the Lightning will be without star forward Brayden Point. Point is a true difference maker and would be a big enough loss for Tampa Bay to have us lean Islanders in Game 3. With some sportsbooks setting the line as high as +143, there’s good value in betting on an Islanders team that has kept the series closer than people may think.