Islanders Return After Long Break in Schedule: Betting, Lines, etc…

After a second four-day break in the month of October, the New York Islanders are finally getting back to the ice to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

What a schedule. After taking a four-day break in the middle of the month, then playing three games, the New York Islanders found themselves with yet another four-day break to deal with.

The last four-day break didn’t stop any momentum they had built up after picking up four wins in a row. They came out strong against the Arizona Coyotes to pick up win number five and then battled their way to 4-2 win against the Ottawa Senators for win number six 24 hours later.

The Lightning aren’t as invincible as we all assumed they’d be to start the season. Sure it’s early, but over the Lightning’s last four games they’re 2-1-1 with a -2 goal differential including a 7-6 barn burner against the New Jersey Devils just a few days ago.

With that being said, the Tampa Bay Lightning still have game-changing talent throughout their roster. From goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy, defenseman Victor Hedman, and 2019 Hart trophy winner Nikita Kucherov.

The Islanders have been at the top of their game over this seven-game stretch. Keeping opponents to an average of two goals per game while scoring an average of 3.5 themselves.

The Isles don’t typically win the Corsi game, but with the Lightning allowing the second-most shots against per game with 35.8, they just might tonight.

The Islanders will have to keep up the form they’re currently in and take advantage of some extra looks at goal if they want to make it eight in a row.

Players to Watch

With five points (four of which are goals) in his last five games, Mathew Barzal seems to be back to his Calder winning form from 2017-18. He’s also averaging nearly three shots a game over his last five. With the way that Tampa give up shots, Barzal could have a big night in the shots column, maybe even in the goal column.

The defenseman has four points in his last five games and nine points over 12 games so far with his new team. He scored 51 points in his two years with the New York Rangers, now he’s on pace for 62 points.

Betting Lines

At the time of writing, the consensus money line for the New York Islanders according to The Action Network was +105. So if you fancy the New York Islanders to beat the Lightning, there’s some money to be made for you.

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

Otto Koivula, who was just called up from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers was on the ice last with the extra skaters, indicating he’ll likely be a scratch for tonight’s game. Cole Bardreau should be the fourth-line center for the Islanders.

Beauvillier is back from a recent illness, but Leo Komarov is still out with an illness.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Volkov-Stamkos-Kucherov
Palat-Point-Johnson
Killorn-Cirelli-Joseph
Gourde-Paquette-Witkowski
Sergachev-Shattenkirk
McDonagh-Cernak
Rutta-Schenn
Vasilevksiy (McElhinney)

With Victor Hedman still out with an injury, Kevin Shattenkirk steps in as the team’s number one righty. Which probably accounts for the reason he’s having such success in the points department of late.

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Where to watch

Live: 7 pm, Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike
TV: MSG+, MSG Go
Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM