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Islanders vs. Lightning: Revenge game after playoff loss (Lines, odds, +)

By Michel Anderson

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Mathew Barzal #13 and Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders react after their team's 1-0 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 25: Mathew Barzal #13 and Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders react after their team's 1-0 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the NHL Stanley Cup Semifinals during the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena on June 25, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The New York Islanders are nearing the end of their 13-game road trip but before heading home, they stop in Florida. The first stop in the Sunshine State is in Tampa. A matchup that hasn’t taken place since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Islanders lost that game 1-0 on a short-handed Yanni Gourder goal after Josh Bailey, Kyle Palmieri, and Nick Leddy got totally lost in the D-zone somehow. A loss that ended the Islanders run for a Cup for the second year in a row at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

And while this game doesn’t have the same weight of an Eastern Conference Game 7, beating them is still on every Islanders player’s minds tonight.

New York Islanders vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Revenge game

Tale of the Tape

Tampa is still the better team on paper here. Even if you don’t look at the record. They score more (per game) they allow fewer shots against and are better on the special teams.

New York Islanders projected lineup

Lee-Barzal-Parise
Beauvilier-Nelson-Palmieri
Bailey-Pageau-Wahlstrom
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Pelech-Mayfield
Chara-Pulock
Greene-Dobson/Aho

Varlamov (Sorokin)

Zach Parise: It seems that Barry Trotz is trying to generate more offense out of his lineup so up goes Parise to the top line. The veteran has played “the right way” in the Trotz system and could be a good addition to the top line. Maybe he gets that first goal of the year playing with Barzal and Lee?

Casey Cizikas: He missed practice with a non-COVID-related illness. Barry has said that everyone is available but it seems that might not apply to Cizikas. So perhaps this lineup gets juggled a little. There isn’t another center on the roster that can step in for fourth-line duties. So perhaps the Isles go 11F and 7D?

Semyon Varlamov: Varly is seemingly getting the start tonight. Barry Trotz said that experience will matter against B2B opponents. Sorokin hasn’t played the Lightning in the regular season. So he’ll likely play against Florida on Tuesday.

Noah Dobson/Sebastian Aho: It looks like Noah Dobson will be sitting this game out as a healthy scratch. Meaning Sebastian Aho will step in to take his spot.

Betting Odds

The money line has the Islanders as underdogs today according to WynnBet with a +120 money line. With the Lightning record over the year and with Tampa being the home team, that fits.

(PS: I was incorrectly reading the spread line instead of the money line for the last few games. Sorry!)

Where to Catch the Game

You can get the game where you usually see it, but heads up that won’t be the case tomorrow. Today’s game is available on cable, but will not be when the Isles take on the Panthers.

TV: MSG+, MSG Go, ESPN+
Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050 AM,

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