The Tampa Bay Lightning, spearheaded by Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point, are prepared to take the ice against Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, and the New York Islanders at the Barclays Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 13, and you will be able to see the game live on MSG Network.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders Odds
Offering a -155 moneyline, Tampa Bay enters the contest as the substantial favorite. The line for the Islanders now stands at +135 and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Tampa Bay is 35-10 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 17.1 units this year. Through 45 regular season outings, 25 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Bolts are 16-6 SU on the road in 2018-19.
Tampa Bay currently touts the first-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 30.5 percent of its extra-man opportunities this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.6 percent of all penalties..
Averaging 30.7 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (18-6-2) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this season. If Tampa Bay chooses to rest him, however, they may go with Louis Domingue (16-4 record, .905 save percentage, 2.99 goals against average).
New York is 24-19 straight up (SU) and has earned 12.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 43 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just three have pushed. It’s 10-10 SU as the home team this year.
The Islanders have converted on just 16.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.2 percent of all opponent power plays.
Thomas Greiss has stopped 25.3 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Islanders. Greiss has 15 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss to his name and has maintained a .914 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Islanders are 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Lightning are 3-0 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Tampa Bay has managed 32.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York has been attempting 38.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
- Six of Tampa Bay’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-1 in those games.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Tampa Bay skaters have given out the ninth-most hits in the league (23.8 per game) and the Isles have registered the eighth-most (24.8).
