Islanders vs. Lightning: Odds, Keys to the Game, Lineups, TV and more

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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Ross Johnston #32 of the New York Islanders fights with Luke Witkowski #28 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Islanders hit the road for the first time since the All-Star break and face off against the Steven Stamkos and the surging Lightning in Tampa.

The New York Islanders hit the road for back to back games against two of the biggest powerhouses in the eastern conference. First up: The Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Islanders are playing well, having taken two of three in their first home-stand since the bye week. They are coming off a 5-3 win over the Kings on Thursday, where rookie sensation Kieffer Bellows scored two goals.

Must Read. Islanders Comeback On The Back Of Kieffer Bellows

The Lightning are on an absolute tear. They have won 17 out of their last 20 games and are third in the eastern conference. Most recently, on Thursday night, they beat Pittsburgh 4-2 in Tampa.

The Season Series

Tonight is the last matchup of the season series between these two Eastern Conference foes. The first time these two met feels like forever ago:

During the Isles point streak, on November 1st, the Islanders beat Tampa in convincing fashion 5-2. Anders Lee led the Islanders with two goals and one assist, meanwhile Derick Brassard, Matthew Barzal and Josh Bailey all had two points each and Thomas Greiss got the win.

On December 9th they met in Tampa where the Islanders won again 5-1. It was a full team effort in this one. Brock Nelson has two goals, Bailey and Lee both had two points each and Seymon Varlamov stopped 31 shots in the win.

Tale of the Tape

Every category of this matchup plays in favor of Tampa, but hockey is not a game played on paper. As stated above, the Islanders have dominated this matchup so far this season. Can the Isles complete the season sweep tonight? Leave your comments below!

Betting Odds

The odds have the Islanders as the big underdogs in this one, courtesy of the Action Network.

This one is a tricky matchup. The Islanders have dominated the season series, but Tampa is on fire and have won eight straight at home. With that being said, this matchup is completely up in the air.

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Yanni Gourde #37 and Anthony Cirelli #71 of the Tampa Bay Lightning are stopped by Thomas Greiss #1 of the New York Islanders during the second period at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Keys to the Game

Contain the Stamkos-Point-Kucherov Line

The line of Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov is on absolute fire. Both Stamkos and Kucherov have nine-game point streaks and this line is the catalyst for the red hot Lightning.

It will be interesting to see how the Isles line up against one of the top lines in hockey. Ideally, we would see the line of Martin-Cizikas-Komarov line up against Tampa’s top line, but on the road, the Islanders do not have the last change.

Whoever Tampa decides to match up their top line against, the Islanders must shut them down. If the Isles can keep this line at bay, they will have a great chance to win this game.

Special Teams

As mentioned in my preview last game, special teams can be the difference in a game. Tonight they can play a big factor in the result of this game.

The Lightning have one of the best powerplays in the league and for the Isles to have success they must stay out of the box.

As seen in both games against the Bolts this year, the Islanders have won the special teams battle. The Isles have combined for a perfect six for six on the penalty kill, including a short handed goal, and one for five on the powerplay against the Lightning.

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

With the insertion of Kieffer Bellows into the Islanders lineup and the Isles winning both of those games. I cannot see the blue and orange making any changes in this one.

The Islanders did change up their defensive combinations last game. The back-end combinations were Leddy-Boychuck, Toews-Pulock, and Dobson-Mayfield. It will be interesting to see if they keep these lines or go back to the pairs they had for most of the season. Also, Scott Mayfield missed practice yesterday as part of a maintenance day.

Scott Mayfield didn’t practice. Barry Trotz said it was just “maintenance” and added: “I fully expect him to be in the lineup tomorrow.” #Isles #Islanders #NHL
— Brian Heyman (@bheyman99) February 7, 2020

In the first three games since the break, the Islanders have rotated goalies and Seymon Varlamov should get the start in this one.

The Islanders should line up like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Bellows-Brassard-Dal Colle
Martin-Cizikas-Komarov

Leddy-Boychuck
Toews-Pulock
Dobson-Mayfield

Varlamov (Greiss)

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning may be forced to make a change after Ryan McDonaugh left Thursday’s game early, due to an injury.

No official update from #tblightning yet on Ryan McDonagh, who left midway through Thursday's game after taking a Malkin shot off the right foot. Had foot in boot post game, riding a scooter out. Cooper said early indications were it wasn't as bad as it looked, but we'll see. https://t.co/owl5NOiX6r
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) February 7, 2020

That comes as a blow due to the fact Tampa lost d-man Jan Rutta after he suffered a lower-body injury on Tuesday.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has now picked up points in 17 straight starts, is expected to be in-between the pipes.

Stamkos-Point-Kucherov
Palat-Cirelli-Johnson
Killorn-Paquette-Maroon
Verhaeghe-Stephens-Gourde

Hedman-Sergachev
Schenn-Cernak
Coburn-Shattenkirk

Vasilevskiy (McElhinney)

23. Prediction. 4. 106. 3

Where to Catch the Game:

TV: MSG+2, MSG Go, ESPN+

Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM

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