Fans of the New York Islanders are going to hope to party like it's 1993 on Sunday night. The boys from Brooklyn haven't won a playoff series since that point, a streak they'll hope to end at the expense of the Florida Panthers.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The good news for Panthers fans is that they clearly have the better team on the ice as we see it, and we think any hockey fan watching this series as a neutral observer would agree. They're bigger and stronger for sure, and though they don’t have quite as much speed, they've been getting to a lot of the 50/50 pucks for much of this series.
That's why the oddsmakers have to take a look at this objectively and suggest that Florida should still arguably be favored in this game. The first two games played at the Barclays Center in this series were both lined at a pick 'em, but there's a lot of pressure on the Panthers to keep their season alive. That's why they might actually be the chalks, even on the road in such a pivotal spot.
GOALIE REPORT
Oh, Bobby Loo... Roberto Luongo is now 0-2 in this series in overtime games, and he has to be scratching his head about why he just can't seem to win big games in the playoffs. His raw stats in this series are suitable with a 2.24 GAA and a .926 save percentage, and he did stop 40 of the first 41 shots he faced in Game 5. That said, the last goal he let in was a bunny, and it's just another example of a point in his career in which he fell completely flat on the big stage.
The moment hasn't been too big for Thomas Greiss, though. He stopped all 18 shots he faced in overtime on Friday night to lead the Islanders to victory, and he's been fantastic in this series after a shaky start. Greiss though, has never played in a game quite this big in his career, and it'll be interesting to see how he handles himself throughout this one.
LIVE BETTING
The Panthers offense has gone away because the Islanders have found an answer for Reilly Smith and his line mates. Smith has four goals and four helpers in this series, but he only has a total of five shots without a single point in his last two games.
John Tavares might only have a single goal and no assists to show for his work during these last two duels as well, but he's had a huge impact on the ice defensively as well. If his line can outwork the Smith line for Florida, it'll be a huge edge for New York in a game which would otherwise favor it as we see it.
QUICK PICK
Even though the Islanders haven't won a series in the last 23 years, they've really got the look of a team which is going to get into the second round. They've got the best line of the bunch for our money, and they're making all of the big plays when they have to with goals in overtime and late in the third period.
Add in the fact that they've got the last change on the ice on every shift and the home ice advantage that comes with those quirky boards at the Barclays Center, then add in the fact that Luongo can't seem to win a big game if his life depends on it? It sure looks like there will be a big celebrating in Brooklyn on Sunday night to us.
NHL Odds: Islanders 2, Panthers 0
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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 6 of this series between the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders will commence on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
