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Islanders vs Lightning Odds, Picks and How to Bet Game 2 – Tampa Bay Sizeable Favorite for Second Straight Game

Chris Wassel

by Chris Wassel in NHL Hockey

Updated Jun 14, 2021 · 5:44 PM PDT

Nikita Kucherov skating
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) before Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the New York Islanders Sunday, June 13, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
  • The Islanders and Lightning play Game 2 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series on Tuesday, June 15th (8pm ET)
  • Ryan Pulock scored the game-winner as New York stunned Tampa Bay in Game 1.
  • Read below for the odds, game preview, and betting pick

The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning continue their best-of-seven series. Game 2 will be played on Tuesday, June 15th (8pm ET) at Amalie Arena and will be broadcast on NBCSN.

Tampa Bay is currently listed as a strong -182 home favorite to even the series.

Can Tampa salvage a split or will the New York Islanders take a dominant 2-0 series lead?

Islanders vs Lightning Game 2 Odds

Team Moneyline at DraftKings Puckline Total
New York Islanders +155 +1.5 (-186) O 5.5 (+112)
Tampa Bay Lightning -182 -1.5 (+155) U 5.5 (-136)

Odds as of June 14th

New York Put on a Game 1 Clinic

Tampa Bay generated few chances in the opening 20 minutes. Few expected the Lightning to be that rusty. Both teams enjoyed the same basic amount of time off.

Tampa Bay defeated Florida and Carolina, who were arguably as good or better than the Lightning. Yet, New York came out like they were the home team.

The Islanders controlled play with four of the six high-danger chances and established a tone for Game 1. They were able to draw penalties and had a +3 penalty differential before a late second-period minor. Again, New York played a style that saw a decent amount of shots allowed but little quality.

The way New York took a 2-0 lead was simple. They took advantage of the chances created. New York held a slight lead in expected goals for and even the third-period disadvantage was hardly drastic. Mathew Barzal opened the scoring as he used his speed and ability to dig into the risky areas.

Barzal plowed right in and put the puck in the net before the center went into the net. It was the kind of goal that endears a player to a fanbase yet again. It is the kind of goal that Barzal has been scoring. Also, this gave the pivot 10 points on the playoff season.

Granted, it was just one goal but this felt like more. When Ryan Pulock scored to make it 2-0, it felt like the game was over.

Aside from less than 60 seconds, it was as the Islanders held on to win 2-1.

Can Tampa Bay Bounce Back?

Tampa Bay has now lost every opening home game in the playoffs. It seems to be a pattern. They come out flat. It did not even matter that this was Game 1.

The Lightning fell behind 2-0 before mounting a late challenge that fell short. Also, it did not help that Tampa Bay was -3 on penalty differential after 39 minutes.

For one, despite a late power-play goal, Tampa Bay felt disconnected in the game. There was so much slop aside from that one goal.

Maybe the most encouraging thing about Game 1 for the Lightning was this fact. Thankfully, it was only one game. Mentally, Jon Cooper put it best: “their minds weren’t there.”

Everything was a fraction of a second off, especially during the first two periods. Even when things became a little crisper, Semyon Varlamov shut the door. As a result, Tampa Bay has much work to do starting in Game 2.

Islanders vs Lightning Series Odds

Team Odds at DraftKings
New York Islanders -112
Tampa Bay Lightning -109

Islanders vs Lightning Best Bet

The Lightning remain a strong favorite on Tuesday night despite the Game 1 loss on Sunday afternoon. It boils down to execution. When a finely tuned team is a little bit off, that little bit becomes a gaping crevasse.

One key will be combatting the Islanders’ never worry attitude. Barry Trotz has New York playing with conviction and purpose. Tampa Bay has to break their will at least a little. Fewer mistakes and better execution at even strength are vital for Tampa.

New York kept Tampa Bay and their top-scoring lines at bay during Game 1. Too much impact was in the negative direction. Expect the Lightning to bounce back. My pick is the Tampa Bay moneyline for Game 2.

Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline (-182)

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