The first hockey playoff game in the history of the Barclays Center went into overtime, and it was one which sent the fans of the New York Islanders home happy. Now, the Florida Panthers are in a world of hurt with a 2-1 series deficit, and if they don't win this one on Wednesday night, it'll be tough to see a road back into the series from down 3-1.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Brooklyn was really rocking on Sunday night, and the argument could be made that the proverbial seventh man was what willed the Isles to victory. They were very potentially down and out when they fell behind 2-0 and 3-1, but they clawed their way back into the game and ultimately won in OT.
However, the Islanders were only -108 favorites in that game, and they aren't likely to be favored by anything more than that in this one. We do however expect to see the oddsmakers react to what we all just witnessed in the Empire State.
GOALIE REPORT
Thomas Greiss isn't the greatest goalie on the face of the earth, but he's outplaying Roberto Luongo in his first ever playoff series.
Greiss, to his credit, didn't allow a goal in either the third period or in overtime when his team needed him the most on Sunday night, and that's why he came out the winning goalie.
Both goalies faced 39 shots in Game 3, but Greiss just happened to be one save better than Bobby Loo, who conceded yet another overtime goal.
LIVE BETTING
Reilly Smith absolutely cannot be stopped in this series. He scored 25 goals and had 25 assists in the regular season, and here in the playoffs, he's already got four goals and four helpers in just three games.
The big problem for the Islanders is when Smith is on the ice against the fourth line. That last line for New York was beaten to death because of all of the size on the ice with Smith, Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr.
This is a matchup Florida will be able to take more advantage of when it's back at home and gets the last line change, but when the situation comes up in this one, that's why the Panthers can be at their best.
QUICK PICK
Luongo said after the game that he really needed some rest, but we're not sure that's going to be what saves him and his Panthers in this one.
The Isles really sent a message to the other side of the ice by coming back from down two goals to win in overtime on Sunday night, and with the lack of experience the Panthers have in the playoffs, we wonder if they have what it takes to come back from that type of a blow.
Momentum could end up being a real factor. The Panthers haven't done a good job of rebounding from problem shifts in this series, and this one could get out of hand in a hurry. Don't be shocked if Bobby Loo ends up on the bench by the end of this night.
NHL Odds: Islanders 5, Panthers 2
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 4 of the series between the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Barclays Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on USA.
