Islanders vs Lightning Game Six: Odds, Lineups, TV and more

The New York Islanders are facing another elimination game against the Lightning tonight at 8p.m. Here’s everything to know about the matchup.

One thing is for certain, the New York Islanders will not go down without a fight. Their backs are still against the wall, but they can see a small light to get out of the tunnel they are in. Tonight the Islanders have a glorious opportunity to tie up this series and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.

The Islanders are flying high after winning a highly entertaining game five. The Isles got off to a quick 1-0 start after Ryan Pulock scored a first period power play goal. Then Tampa answered in the second off of a Hedman slapshot. The teams traded chances in the third and in the first overtime, until Jordan Eberle scored on a great pass from Anders Lee to give the Islanders a 2-1 victory in double overtime.

The Isles will look to take all the momentum from their double overtime win and use it to tie the series and force a game seven. The Islanders are the home team tonight and will be awarded the last change. In this series, the home team is currently on a two game losing streak.

Tale of the Tape

Betting Odds

The Islanders come into today as the underdogs, courtesy of the Action network.

For the sixth time in six games the Islanders are the underdogs and this should come as no surprise to anyone. The underdogs are a great play in this one.

With the Islanders season on the line, the Isles will look to play a smart, physical and have strong defensive game to shut down one of the league’s best offenses.

Expect another close game, just like Tuesday. The team that limits their turnovers will have much success in this game.

Projected Lineups

We saw the Islanders do something they have not done this whole postseason on Tuesday night, they dressed eleven forwards and seven defensemen.

For the fist time since August 1st, Johnny Boychuk was back in the lineup and he showed what an asset he is to the Islanders. He led the Isles with six blocked shots in 12:04 of ice time. Boychuk is someone the Isles can count on to make the smart defensive play and to get the puck out of the d-zone.

With no apparent injuries in game five, all signs are pointing to the Islanders dressing the same lineup for tonight’s game six.

The eleven forwards gives Barry Trotz and the Islanders coaching staff the ability to change up their line combinations based on the circumstances of the game to give the Isles the most favorable matchups. *With this being said, we will see many different line combinations tonight, rather than just what is listed below.*

Semyon Varlamov is projected to be in net tonight after playing spectacular on Tuesday night. He stopped 37 of 38 shots in game five en route to the victory.

The Islanders are projected to lineup like this:

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Bailey
Martin-Pageau-Clutterbuck
Komarov-Brassard

Pulcok-Pelech
Towes-Mayfield
Leddy-Grenne
Boychuk

Varlamov (Greiss)

The biggest question for the Lightning is, will their top line center and arguably best player,  Brayden Point, be in the lineup tonight?

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding this question and we will not know until the rosters are submitted if Point will be fit to play tonight.

Other than point, the Lightning are expected to keep the same lineup with Vasilevskiy starting in goal and the same seven defensemen are projected to be in the lineup.

The Lightning are projected to lineup like this:

Palat-Cirelli-Kucherov
Verhaeghe-Johnson-Killorn
Goodrow-Gourde-Coleman
Maroon-Paquette

Hedman-Bogosian
McDonagh-Cernak
Sergachev-Shattenkirk
Schenn

Vasilevskiy (McElhinney)

Want your voice heard? Join the Eyes On Isles team!

Write for us!

Where to Catch the Game

TV: NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS

Radio: 88.7FM 103.9FM 98.7FM

*All Stats Provided by the NHL*