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Islanders vs Lightning Betting Preview
Tampa Bay returns home carrying frustration. Their past two losses came by one goal. Their Tuesday defeat to the Islanders featured Ilya Sorokin’s steady goaltending. Their Thursday loss to Pittsburgh ended in controversy. Nikita Kucherov appeared to tie the game late, but a league-initiated review overturned the goal due to a hand-pass infraction on Brandon Hagel earlier in the play. Jon Cooper strongly disagreed with the ruling.
Despite the frustration, Tampa Bay remains atop the Atlantic Division. Their challenge now is refocusing on a rising Islanders team that arrives with momentum after a dominant 6-3 win over Colorado. That result handed the Avalanche their second regulation loss of the season. New York has earned points in three of its last four games and continues improving under Patrick Roy.
Roy earned his 200th win Thursday. Anders Lee scored his 295th career goal, tying Brock Nelson for fifth in club history. Their confidence grows entering a demanding two-game trip through Tampa Bay and Florida.
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From Puck Drop to Final Buzzer
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Line Movement and Odds
Lightning (TBD)
Islanders (TBD)
Total (TBD)
(Odds will update once books post the full market.)
Track updates on the NHL odds page.
Matchup Breakdown
New York overview
The Islanders enter with confidence after beating the league’s top team. Their forecheck controlled the puck. Their defensive layers held strong. Their scoring balanced across all three zones. Horvat leads with 29 points. Barzal continues driving entries with pace.
Their recent stretch shows better transition support and improved zone exits. Their volume shooting and controlled structure create chances even when their power play remains inconsistent. Their road trip demands focus, but their form indicates a capable performance in Tampa.
Tampa Bay overview
Tampa Bay must reset emotionally. Their last two losses came against structured defensive teams. Cooper emphasized process and communication after Thursday’s ruling. Their possession game remains solid, and Kucherov continues leading with 34 points.
Andrei Vasilevskiy expects to return after missing Thursday’s game with a minor injury. His presence stabilizes the crease. Tampa’s special teams remain strong. Their top six drives consistent scoring. Their difficulty lies in closing one-goal games.
Injuries
Islanders
- Ethan Bear — Out, undisclosed
- Pierre Engvall — Out, ankle
- Alexander Romanov — Out, shoulder
- Semyon Varlamov — Out, lower body
Full roster details available on the New York Islanders page.
Lightning
(No new major injuries reported aside from Vasilevskiy’s brief absence.)
Team overview available on the Tampa Bay Lightning page.
Betting Trends
- Islanders trending up with points in three of last four
- Lightning 5-5-1 vs Metropolitan teams
- Islanders improving possession metrics under Roy
- Lightning strong at home when holding early leads
Best Bets and Prediction
New York’s momentum, structure and improved finishing give them an edge. Tampa Bay remains dangerous at home and should stabilize with Vasilevskiy back, but their recent emotional losses shape this matchup. New York’s forecheck and transition play can create openings.
Projected score: Islanders 4, Lightning 3
Best Bet: Islanders (Moneyline once posted)
Total Lean: Over (pending official number)
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