Scoring first is obviously huge in the playoffs. Tampa is 10-1 when scoring first this postseason and 0-3 when giving up the first goal.
Brayden Point‘s sixth straight game with a goal led the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win on Long Island on Thursday. The Bolts now lead their Stanley Cup semifinal series 2-1 over the New York Islanders as they go for the road sweep on Saturday.
Tampa is a -130 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with a total of 5.0.
Lightning vs. Islanders Stanley Cup Odds
Early Sports Interaction bettors are split straight down the middle on which team to take and the Over/Under. It’s worth noting, however, the total has gone Under in four of the last five games between these teams. The Lightning are heavy -535 favourites to win the series. At +119, Tampa slightly edges out the Vegas Golden Knights as the Stanley Cup favourite.
It says a lot about this Lightning defence that as offensively talented as the roster is, six straight road games and eight of Tampa’s last 10 games overall have gone Under. They’re 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games against the Islanders and 9-3 SU in their last 12 games on Long Island.
New York has dropped to 8-4 SU in their last 12 games, but the bigger concern is their play at home. The Islanders picked up 25 of their 41 regular season wins at Nassau Coliseum, but they’ve only won four of seven home games in the playoffs, a number that needs to improve if they’re going to have a shot in the series.
Teams that take a 2-1 series lead are 89-25 (.781) winning an NHL best-of-7 semifinal series.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Point is proving to be an elite playoff player for the second straight postseason. He leads the playoffs with 11 goals and his marker in Game 3 was his third game-winning goal of the postseason. Point’s six-game goal streak is the longest in the Stanley Cup playoffs since Martin Havlat did it for Ottawa in 2006. If he can score again in Game 4, it will tie him with Claude Lemieux (1997), Joe Sakic (1996), Mario Lemieux (1996), Pat LaFontaine (1992) and Mario Lemieux again (1991) for the longest streak in the last 30 years. Sakic’s streak in 1996 and Lemieux’s streak in 1991 led to Stanley Cup championships.
The other goalscorer for Tampa in Game 3 was Yanni Gourde, who had the opening goal. With the win, the Lighting improved to 10-1 in the postseason when scoring first. They’re 0-3 when allowing the first goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves. The road has been good for Tampa in the playoffs, as they’ve gone 6-1 outside of Amalie Arena. Vasilevskiy has posted a 1.58 goals-against average and .953 save percentage in the Bolts’ seven postseason road games.
New York Islanders
Despite outshooting the Lightning 28-25 in Game 3, including 8-5 in the third period, New York just couldn’t find a way to win. Cal Clutterbuck‘s fourth goal of the playoffs was the only Islanders shot to find the back of the net. Semyon Varlamov made 23 saves. The loss was actually par for the course for the Isles this postseason. New York has now lost Game 3 at home and trailed 2-1 in all three rounds this year. They’ve always answered the bell though, coming back to win three straight games against Pittsburgh in the first round and three straight against Boston in the second round.
NHL Playoff Prediction: Who Will Win Lightning vs. Islanders?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 18 Jun 3:06am | TB | -1.5 +210 | O +5 -125 |
Closing 19 Jun 10:31pm | TB | -1.5 +195 | O +5 -130 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lightning Team Leaders
Points |
48 |
+ / - |
16 |
Shots |
136 |
Penalty Mins |
60 |
Wins |
31 |
GAA |
2.21 |
Points |
45 |
+ / - |
15 |
Shots |
134 |
Penalty Mins |
48 |
Wins |
19 |
GAA |
2.04 |
Points |
32 |
+ / - |
18 |
Shots |
62 |
Penalty Mins |
37 |
Wins |
16 |
GAA |
1.9 |
Points |
14 |
+ / - |
12 |
Shots |
53 |
Penalty Mins |
43 |
Wins |
7 |
GAA |
2.56 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Islanders Team Leaders
Points |
48 |
+ / - |
16 |
Shots |
136 |
Penalty Mins |
60 |
Wins |
31 |
GAA |
2.21 |
Points |
45 |
+ / - |
15 |
Shots |
134 |
Penalty Mins |
48 |
Wins |
19 |
GAA |
2.04 |
Points |
32 |
+ / - |
18 |
Shots |
62 |
Penalty Mins |
37 |
Wins |
16 |
GAA |
1.9 |
Points |
14 |
+ / - |
12 |
Shots |
53 |
Penalty Mins |
43 |
Wins |
7 |
GAA |
2.56 |
Injuries
Tyler Johnson (C)
Ross Colton (C)
Alex Killorn (LW)
Nikita Kucherov (RW)
Jan Rutta (D)
Erik Cernak (D)
Anthony Cirelli (C)
Erik Cernak (D)
David Savard (D)
Nikita Kucherov (RW)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C)
Michael Dal Colle (LW)
Oliver Wahlstrom (RW)
Semyon Varlamov (G)
Mathew Barzal (C)
Leo Komarov (RW)
Matt Martin (LW)
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C)
Semyon Varlamov (G)
Josh Bailey (RW)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tyler Johnson (C) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21 | 2-1 | 1-1-1 | + - |
Johnson is dealing with an undefined issue, but he is expected to lace up versus the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. |
|||||
Ross Colton (C) | Prob Fri | Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21 | 2-1 | 1-1-1 | + - |
Colton is projected to face the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite an unspecified ailment. |
|||||
Alex Killorn (LW) | Ques Fri | Foot - 29 / 06 / 21 | 3-1 | 2-1-1 | + - |
Killorn is bothered by a foot injury, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Canadiens. |
|||||
Nikita Kucherov (RW) | Ques Fri | Upper Body - 23 / 06 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-2-2 | + - |
Kucherov is bothered by an upper-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will lace up for Game 7 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders. |
|||||
Jan Rutta (D) | Prob Wed | Undisclosed - 22 / 06 / 21 | 4-3 | 3-2-2 | + - |
Rutta is bothered by an unspecified ailment, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 6 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders. |
|||||
Erik Cernak (D) | Ques Fri | Upper Body - 21 / 06 / 21 | 4-4 | 3-2-3 | + - |
Cernak is managing an upper-body injury, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Islanders in Game 7 of the NHL semifinals. |
|||||
Anthony Cirelli (C) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21 | 5-5 | 4-3-3 | + - |
Cirelli is managing an unspecified ailment, but it is expected that he will be available for Game 3 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders. |
|||||
Erik Cernak (D) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 31 / 05 / 21 | 9-7 | 5-8-3 | + - |
Cernak is battling an undefined issue, and it is unclear if he will lace up for Game 2 of the Central Division finals versus the Hurricanes. |
|||||
David Savard (D) | Ques Sat | Upper Body - 30 / 05 / 21 | 10-7 | 5-9-3 | + - |
Savard is managing an upper-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Central Division finals. |
|||||
Nikita Kucherov (RW) | Ques Mon | Leg - 22 / 05 / 21 | 11-9 | 7-10-3 | + - |
Kucherov is dealing with a left leg injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Panthers in Game 5 of the Central Division semifinals. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) | Prob Thurs | Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21 | 3-2 | 2-1-2 | + - |
Pageau is nursing an undetermined injury, but it is likely that he will lace up against the Lightning in Game 3 of the NHL semifinals. |
|||||
Michael Dal Colle (LW) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21 | 10-3 | 7-3-3 | + - |
Dal Colle is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Lightning. |
|||||
Oliver Wahlstrom (RW) | Out indefinitely | Lower Body - 25 / 05 / 21 | 11-3 | 7-4-3 | + - |
Wahlstrom is out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, and it is uncertain how long he will be idle. |
|||||
Semyon Varlamov (G) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21 | 15-4 | 9-6-4 | + - |
Varlamov is managing an unknown injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the line up for Game 2 of the East Division semifinals versus the Penguins. |
|||||
Mathew Barzal (C) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 | 16-7 | 12-7-4 | + - |
Barzal has missed the last two games due to an undefined ailment, and it is unknown if he will face the Devils on Saturday. |
|||||
Leo Komarov (RW) | Ques Sat | Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 | 16-7 | 12-7-4 | + - |
Komarov has been held out of the last two contests with an unspecified injury, leaving his status against the Devils on Saturday hazy. |
|||||
Matt Martin (LW) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 | 16-7 | 12-7-4 | + - |
Martin sat out the previous contest with an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Devils. |
|||||
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) | Ques Tues | Undisclosed - 03 / 05 / 21 | 17-7 | 12-8-4 | + - |
Pageau sat out the last game with an undisclosed issue, and it remains to be seen if he will take the ice on Tuesday versus the Sabres. |
|||||
Semyon Varlamov (G) | Ques Thurs | Undisclosed - 27 / 04 / 21 | 19-8 | 13-10-4 | + - |
Varlamov sat out the previous game with an unspecified injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Rangers. |
|||||
Josh Bailey (RW) | Prob Tues | Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 21 | 20-12 | 14-13-5 | + - |
Bailey has missed the previous two contests with an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will be active Tuesday versus the Rangers. |
-
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
2 -
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
3
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 18 Jun 3:06am TB -1.5 +210 O +5 -125 Closing 19 Jun 10:31pm TB -1.5 +195 O +5 -130 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Lightning Team Leaders
Points 48
+ / - 16
Shots 136
Penalty Mins 60
Wins 31
GAA 2.21
Points 45
+ / - 15
Shots 134
Penalty Mins 48
Wins 19
GAA 2.04
Points 32
+ / - 18
Shots 62
Penalty Mins 37
Wins 16
GAA 1.9
Points 14
+ / - 12
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 43
Wins 7
GAA 2.56
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Islanders Team Leaders
Points 48
+ / - 16
Shots 136
Penalty Mins 60
Wins 31
GAA 2.21
Points 45
+ / - 15
Shots 134
Penalty Mins 48
Wins 19
GAA 2.04
Points 32
+ / - 18
Shots 62
Penalty Mins 37
Wins 16
GAA 1.9
Points 14
+ / - 12
Shots 53
Penalty Mins 43
Wins 7
GAA 2.56
-
Injuries
Tyler Johnson (C)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21Ross Colton (C)
Prob Fri Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21Alex Killorn (LW)
Ques Fri Foot - 29 / 06 / 21Nikita Kucherov (RW)
Ques Fri Upper Body - 23 / 06 / 21Jan Rutta (D)
Prob Wed Undisclosed - 22 / 06 / 21Erik Cernak (D)
Ques Fri Upper Body - 21 / 06 / 21Anthony Cirelli (C)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21Erik Cernak (D)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 31 / 05 / 21David Savard (D)
Ques Sat Upper Body - 30 / 05 / 21Nikita Kucherov (RW)
Ques Mon Leg - 22 / 05 / 21Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C)
Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21Michael Dal Colle (LW)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21Oliver Wahlstrom (RW)
Out indefinitely Lower Body - 25 / 05 / 21Semyon Varlamov (G)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21Mathew Barzal (C)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21Leo Komarov (RW)
Ques Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21Matt Martin (LW)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C)
Ques Tues Undisclosed - 03 / 05 / 21Semyon Varlamov (G)
Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 27 / 04 / 21Josh Bailey (RW)
Prob Tues Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Tyler Johnson (C) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21 2-1 1-1-1 + - Johnson is dealing with an undefined issue, but he is expected to lace up versus the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ross Colton (C) Prob Fri Undisclosed - 02 / 07 / 21 2-1 1-1-1 + - Colton is projected to face the Canadiens in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals despite an unspecified ailment.
Alex Killorn (LW) Ques Fri Foot - 29 / 06 / 21 3-1 2-1-1 + - Killorn is bothered by a foot injury, and it has yet to be established if he will suit up for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Canadiens.
Nikita Kucherov (RW) Ques Fri Upper Body - 23 / 06 / 21 4-3 3-2-2 + - Kucherov is bothered by an upper-body injury, and it is up in the air if he will lace up for Game 7 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders.
Jan Rutta (D) Prob Wed Undisclosed - 22 / 06 / 21 4-3 3-2-2 + - Rutta is bothered by an unspecified ailment, but it is anticipated that he will dress for Game 6 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders.
Erik Cernak (D) Ques Fri Upper Body - 21 / 06 / 21 4-4 3-2-3 + - Cernak is managing an upper-body injury, and it is uncertain if he will take on the Islanders in Game 7 of the NHL semifinals.
Anthony Cirelli (C) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21 5-5 4-3-3 + - Cirelli is managing an unspecified ailment, but it is expected that he will be available for Game 3 of the NHL semifinals versus the Islanders.
Erik Cernak (D) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 31 / 05 / 21 9-7 5-8-3 + - Cernak is battling an undefined issue, and it is unclear if he will lace up for Game 2 of the Central Division finals versus the Hurricanes.
David Savard (D) Ques Sat Upper Body - 30 / 05 / 21 10-7 5-9-3 + - Savard is managing an upper-body injury, and it remains to be seen if he will take on the Hurricanes in Game 4 of the Central Division finals.
Nikita Kucherov (RW) Ques Mon Leg - 22 / 05 / 21 11-9 7-10-3 + - Kucherov is dealing with a left leg injury, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Panthers in Game 5 of the Central Division semifinals.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 16 / 06 / 21 3-2 2-1-2 + - Pageau is nursing an undetermined injury, but it is likely that he will lace up against the Lightning in Game 3 of the NHL semifinals.
Michael Dal Colle (LW) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 27 / 05 / 21 10-3 7-3-3 + - Dal Colle is dealing with an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will dress for Game 2 of the NHL semifinals against the Lightning.
Oliver Wahlstrom (RW) Out indefinitely Lower Body - 25 / 05 / 21 11-3 7-4-3 + - Wahlstrom is out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, and it is uncertain how long he will be idle.
Semyon Varlamov (G) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 13 / 05 / 21 15-4 9-6-4 + - Varlamov is managing an unknown injury, and it is unknown if he will be in the line up for Game 2 of the East Division semifinals versus the Penguins.
Mathew Barzal (C) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 16-7 12-7-4 + - Barzal has missed the last two games due to an undefined ailment, and it is unknown if he will face the Devils on Saturday.
Leo Komarov (RW) Ques Sat Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 16-7 12-7-4 + - Komarov has been held out of the last two contests with an unspecified injury, leaving his status against the Devils on Saturday hazy.
Matt Martin (LW) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 04 / 05 / 21 16-7 12-7-4 + - Martin sat out the previous contest with an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Devils.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) Ques Tues Undisclosed - 03 / 05 / 21 17-7 12-8-4 + - Pageau sat out the last game with an undisclosed issue, and it remains to be seen if he will take the ice on Tuesday versus the Sabres.
Semyon Varlamov (G) Ques Thurs Undisclosed - 27 / 04 / 21 19-8 13-10-4 + - Varlamov sat out the previous game with an unspecified injury, and it is uncertain if he will be available for Thursday's matchup with the Rangers.
Josh Bailey (RW) Prob Tues Undisclosed - 16 / 04 / 21 20-12 14-13-5 + - Bailey has missed the previous two contests with an undisclosed injury, but it is likely that he will be active Tuesday versus the Rangers.