New York Islanders (42-23-8) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (47-20-5)
Game Info: Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 8:00 pm (Nassau Coliseum)
Betting Odds: New York Islanders +125 / Tampa Bay Lightning -150 --- Over/Under: 5.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Tampa Bay Lightning will head on the road to face the New York Islanders for game 6 of their semifinal’s series in the NHL Playoffs. The Lightning took a 3-2 series lead with an 8-0 win in Tampa last time out.
New York could not get anything going in their last game. On offense they managed just 21 shots and failed to find the back of the net. Defensively they allowed 3 power play goals in what was a terrible game for both goalies. Semyon Varlamov was pulled after just 15 minutes when he allowed his third goal of the first period. Ilya Sorokin relieved him and did not do any better. He allowed 5 goals on 26 shots. Jean-Gabriel Pageau leads the team with 10 assists and 13 points this postseason, but he has been held scoreless in this series. The Islanders have been playing much better at home this postseason, going 5-3 with just 2.25 goals allowed per game. However, they have still struggled on the power play, converting on just 14.3% of their chances at home.
Tampa Bay had a brilliant game from start to finish in the last game. Seven different Lightning scored in the game, led by Steven Stamkos with 2. Brayden Point also scored a goal; he leads the NHL with 13 playoff goals. Overall, they doubled the Islanders shot output in the game. Andrei Vasilevskiy was perfect in net, stopping all 21 shots faced. He has started all 16 games for Tampa Bay in the playoffs, he has allowed just 2.05 goals per game with a .936 save percentage. Tampa Bay has only averaged 2.38 goals per game on the road this postseason, but they have played great defensively. They rank 2nd with just 1.88 goals allowed and they have the 4th-best penalty kill at 83.3%.
New York is 26-6-4 at home this season, 42-31 ATS, and the under is 38-30.
Tampa Bay is 21-12-3 on the road this season, 33-39 ATS, and the under is 35-33.
The Lightning outclassed the Islanders in their last game. Over the last 4 periods they have outscored New York 10-0. The Islanders issues in net have come at the worst time. Meanwhile, the Lightning’s Vasilevskiy has only allowed 1.6 goals per game this series, seemingly getting better as the playoffs have gone on. Give me Tampa Bay to close it out in New York.