Two teams on winning streaks, the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning collide at Amalie Arena in an Eastern Conference showdown. The first puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 18, and it can be seen live on MSG Network.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Tampa Bay (+160) is currently the underdog to Tampa Bay (-185), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Tampa Bay is 15-4 straight up (SU) and has netted 9.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked first in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 42-40 record from the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 19 regular season outings, 12 of the teams games have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and none have pushed. The teams 8-2 SU at home so far this year.
The Lightning currently have the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 28.4 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 84.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Lightning have been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five match ups. The teams had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 30.7 saves per game with a .932 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (14-2-1) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this year. If head coach Jon Cooper chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Peter Budaj (1-2-2 record, .873 save percentage, 3.33 goals against average).
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will each lead the charge for the Lightning. Stamkos (35 points) has tallied 10 goals and 25 assists and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games this year. Kucherov has 17 goals and 16 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 16 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 10-8 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of 11 of its outings have gone over the total, while seven have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Islanders are 4-6 SU so far.
The Islanders have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all penalties.
New York’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Thomas Greiss (.902 save percentage and 3.37 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Greiss is averaging 29.6 saves per game and has five wins, four losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Josh Bailey (four goals, 16 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive facilitators for the visiting Islanders.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Tampa Bay is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last five games.
- New York has managed 27.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Tampa Bay has been attempting 32.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Tampa Bay has averaged 4.6 goals per game (while allowing just 1.8) across its five-game winning streak.
- Over New York’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-2 in those games).
