The New York Islanders, fueled by Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson, are set to take the ice against Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena in an Eastern Conference matchup. The game gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8 and it’s being shown live on Fox Sports Sun.
New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
The Lightning (-220) are favored over the Islanders (+180), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 over, -105 under).
Tampa Bay is 34-20 straight-up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.7 units this year. That winning percentage, second-strongest in the NHL so far this season, is a big slide from what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (62-20). Through 54 regular season outings, 28 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just three have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 17-9 SU at home.
The Lightning have connected on 24.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated third overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (28-12-3) has been the top option in goal for the Bolts this year. If the Bolts decide to rest him, however, head coach Jon Cooper might go with Curtis McElhinney (6-8-8 record, .909 save percentage, 2.88 goals against average).
In the other locker room, New York is 31-21 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 6.3 units this year. A total of 27 of its outings have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just three have pushed. As the road team, the Islanders are 14-10 SU so far.
The Islanders have converted on 19.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all penalties.
Semyon Varlamov (25.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for New York. Varlamov has 17 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, while registering a .915 save percentage and 2.60 goals against average this year.
New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The Islanders (3-2 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. The Lightning, however, is undefeated in two shootouts this year.
- Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 5-1 overall in those games.
- This game features two of the more physical defenses in the league. New York skaters have dished out the second-most hits in the league (28.8 per game) while the Bolts have registered the 10th-most (22.9).
