8:10 pm
September 15

Islanders v. Lightning

Who will WIN this matchup?

New York Islanders

Tampa Bay Lightning

 

Starting Goalies:

Semyon Varlamov (NYI): Unconfirmed

Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

New York Islanders: (+150)

Tampa Bay Lightning: (-170)

 

• The task is straightforward for the New York Islanders: Win or go home. With the Tampa Bay Lightning leading 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals, the Islanders are in must-win territory when the teams clash Tuesday night in Edmonton. If New York loses, its Stanley Cup playoff run will be done and dusted. Whatever the outcome in the series, though, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said he doesn’t expect his team to go down without a fight.

• That said, the Islanders have been outclassed by the Lightning, who appear able to find another gear whenever they need it. Case in point being Sunday’s game. New York opened the scoring midway through the second period, but the Lightning responded with two goals within the next 27 seconds to take the lead and went on to claim a 4-1 victory. Tampa Bay’s other victories this series were an 8-2 blowout in the opener and a last-minute buzzer-beater for a 2-1 win in Game 2.

• Tampa Bay’s two goals 12 seconds apart set a franchise record for quickest pair in the playoffs. The Lightning had established the mark of 15 seconds this year during their second-round series with the Boston Bruins.

• The Lightning head into Game 5 with uncertainty regarding the status of star forward Brayden Point, who didn’t play in the final half of the third period on Sunday. Point, who leads the Lightning with nine goals and is tied for the league lead with 25 points, was in discomfort after going to the boards with New York’s Adam Pelech. Point was also injured in Game 2 and missed the third game of the series. Lightning coach Jon Cooper wouldn’t provide any update on Point, but there’s no doubt something is bothering the forward. The coach acknowledged that the club is better with Point in the lineup, even if Point isn’t at 100 percent.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Tampa Bay Lightning
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