Lightning vs Islanders picks and predictions for Sept 11

I’m not sure if the Tampa Bay Lightning unofficially closed out their series against the New York Islanders in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, but it sure felt like it. The Isles controlled the pace of the game and had plenty of chances, but Nikita Kucherov’s blast with eight seconds to play sealed a 2-1 Tampa victory and gave the Bolts a commanding 2-0 series lead.

If hockey bettors are hoping to see an Islanders rally, then the time is now. Here are our best NHL picks and predictions for Friday night’s in Game 3 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, scheduled for an 8:00 ET start.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders betting preview

Starting Goalies

Lightning: Andrei Vasilevskiy - playoffs – 12-3, 1.86 GAA, .932 SV% (season – 35-14, 2.56, .917 SV%)

Islanders: Semyon Varlamov - playoffs – 9-4, 2.21 GAA, .913 SV% (season – 19-14, 2.62 GAA, .914 SV%)

Varlamov responded well after allowing five goals in the Game 1 disaster he shared with starter Thomas Greiss. Varly stopped 19 of 21 Tampa shots, and it’s hard to fault him for Kucherov’s game-winner when the Islanders defense let Tampa repeatedly swarm the net with under a minute to play.

I’m trying to come up with a way to express how terrific Vasilevskiy has been without saying he’s “in the zone.” How about he’s “in the mind space where he can do little to no wrong based on the level at which he’s playing.” Eh, “in the zone” might be better. The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner stopped 27 of 28 shots in Game 2, including 13 snipes on the penalty kill. His 12 victories since the restart leads all netminders, and it’s not close.

Injuries

Lightning: Alex Killorn LW (susp), Brayden Point C (ques), Jan Rutta D (out), Steven Stamkos C (out)
Islanders: No injuries to report
Get the latest NHL injury updates.

Betting Trend to Know

Lightning are 44-8 in their last 52 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Find the latest NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Lightning.

Moneyline Pick

Brayden Point potentially sitting out Game 3 with an aggravated hamstring gives me pause only because he’s arguably been Tampa’s best player in the bubble. He leads the Lightning with eight goals and 23 points. Still, I wonder about New York’s’ psyche after losing in such dramatic fashion in Game 2. The Isles failed to convert on a five-minute major power play in the first period after Alex Killorn recklessly sent Brock Nelson into the boards. A 5-on-3 power play in the third also came up empty.

The Lightning’s playoff run is even more remarkable when you consider that Steven Stamkos still hasn’t returned to the lineup. Even without Point suiting up, -150 is a reasonable price for a team playing better hockey from end to end.

PREDICTION: Lightning ML (-150)

Over/Under Pick

I’ll give Barry Trotz plenty of credit for having the Islanders ready to play the sort of blue-collar hockey in Game 2 that got them here in the first place. Vasilevskiy has been a wall for Tampa, and Victor Hedman appears to have found a way to keep Mathew Barzal from any generating offense. The Isles center has a single assist in this series and no goals. If New York doesn’t quit, the Under is the play.

PREDICTION: Under 5 (+110)

Prop Pick

Kucherov looks like the best player in the world right now, and the Lightning appear hell-bent on making up for last year’s early-round exit. I think this game stays close, but a Tampa rout isn’t out of the question, so I’ll throw a little cash down on the puck line as well.

PREDICTION: Lightning PL (+165)

Lightning vs Islanders Betting Card 

• Lightning ML (-150)
• Under 5 (+110)
• Lightning PL (+165)

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