The Islanders-Lightning Eastern Conference Semifinal series got off to an explosive start Wednesday night. New York took a 1-0 series lead with a nerve-wracking 5-3 win over the defending Eastern Conference champions. The Isles will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Lightning in Game 2 this coming Saturday.
Can the Isles take a commanding 2-0 series lead? Or will the Lightning even the score? Read on as we take a look at Game 2 of this mouth-watering matchup. For more on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, check out our complete Game 1 previews for the Blues vs. Stars and Sharks vs. Predators.
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Islanders vs. Lightning Game Two Round Two Preview
Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa
When: Saturday, April 30, 3:00 PM ET
Line: New York Islanders (+135) at Tampa Bay Lightning (-155); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the New York Islanders
If Game 1 is any indication of what this series would be like, then we’re in for one titanic matchup. The New York Islanders stunned the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal with a heart-stopping 5-3 win on Wednesday night.
Much has been said about Tavares’ scoring exploits but New York’s victory on Wednesday wouldn’t be possible without the heroics of goalie Thomas Greiss. He gave the Isles another stellar effort in Game 1, stopping 33 of 36 Tampa Bay shots. That follows his gargantuan effort in the first-round series against Florida wherein he thwarted 221 of 234 shots. Greiss improved his postseason record to 5-2 with his goals-against average standing at 1.94 and his save percentage at .941.
The Islanders are 6-1 in their last seven road games. They are pegged at -165 to advance to the conference finals.
Betting on the Tampa Bay Lightning
There are plenty of question marks surrounding Tampa Bay’s defense heading into Game 2 of their showdown with the New York Islanders. Vezina Trophy finalist Ben Bishop looked out of sorts in the series opener, allowing four goals on the 13 shots he faced in Wednesday’s defeat to the Islanders. He was pulled midway through the second period. Bishop’s performance was quite a shock considering he allowed no more than two goals in any of the Lightning’s five games against the Red Wings in the opening round.
The pressure then is on Bishop to redeem himself in Game 2. There’s no reason to doubt the 29-year-old following his highly-successful season with the Lightning. The Tampa Bay goalie led the league with a 2.06 GAA and finished second with a .926 save percentage. Bishop also tied for second with six shutouts and tied for fourth with 35 victories. He is also renowned for his impressive bounce-back performances in the postseason. Bishop was pulled twice in last year’s playoffs and in Game 7 versus the New York Rangers he rebounded with a 22-save shutout in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With their defense in tatters, though, the onus is on Tampa Bay’s attack to lead the way in Game 2. The Lightning will take heart in the fact that they dominated the Islanders in the final two periods of Game 1. They outshot New York, 28-10, over the last two periods on Wednesday.
The Lightning are 3-2 in their last five home games against the Islanders. They are pegged at +135 to advance to the conference finals.
Writer’s Prediction
Tampa Bay (-155) evens the series with a narrow 3-2 win.
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