Islanders vs. Lightning Game 2 Pick
Following the Islanders’ Game 1 victory over the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, what’s the best play for bettors in Game 2 on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot
011 New York Islanders (+175) at 012 Tampa Bay Lightning (-209); o/u 5
8:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
New York Islanders DFS Spin
Despite having not played each other during the 2020-21 regular season, both teams were still very familiar with each other from the 2020 playoffs. The Islanders and Lightning battled in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final with Tampa Bay taking that series in six games en route to winning the Stanley Cup. The two squads are up against each other again in the 2021 semifinals and the Islanders took Game 1 by a score of 2-1. “Both teams are pretty well the same as they were last year,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “Systematically we’re pretty similar. There hasn’t been any overhaul on both sides. Pretty well what we expected and, in some ways, that was good. It was a good start for us. I actually thought there would be a feeling-out process for at least a period, maybe half a game. But it didn’t seem that way. It seemed like both teams were familiar and both teams went at it.” For what it’s worth, the Islanders suffered an 8-2 loss to Tampa Bay in Game 1 of last year’s series, so their fortunes are already looking better than they did a year ago. The Islanders will try to build off their early lead in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Tampa Bay Lightning DFS Spin
Steven Stamkos isn’t overly concerned after the Lightning dropped Game 1 to the Islanders in the semifinals. “We’re fine in this position,” Stamkos said. “It’s not ideal, but (the Islanders) did what we’ve done to teams so far (this postseason) and get one on the road. So we’ve got to respond with another game at home in front of our fans, and then we’ll take it from there. There’s no panic in the room. We’ll make some adjustments, and we’ll come back even hungrier.” It was a 2-1 loss, so it’s not like the Lightning got crushed in the contest. They’ll have an opportunity to even the series in Game 2 on Tuesday.
Islanders vs. Lightning Game 2 NHL Prediction
The under is 4-1-2 in the last seven meetings in Tampa and is 3-0-1 in the last four meetings between these two teams overall. The under is also 7-1 in the Lightning’s last eight games overall, is 5-0 in their last five games after allowing two goals or less in their previous contest and is 7-1 in their last eight games when facing an opponent like the Islanders that owns a winning record. On the other side, the under is 43-21-5 in the Islanders’ last 69 games as a road underdog, is 25-10-2 in their last 37 road games and is 5-021 in their last eight games as an underdog.
NHL PREDICTION: ISLANDERS/LIGHTNING UNDER 5