The New York Islanders hadn't won two straight playoff games in over two decades. Now, they've won three in a row. If they can land a fourth straight by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of this series, they'll be well on their way to cementing a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
NHL Playoff Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Islanders +135
Tampa Bay Lightning -155
Over/Under 5 (over -120)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Oddsmakers has to make the Lightning huge favorites here in Game 2 of this series, as they almost have to have it. New York has one of the best home ice advantages in the league at the Barclays Center, and it'll be tough for Tampa to go there and win at least one of the two games, if not each of the two.
Still, this price of -155 down from -160 is quite steep, especially after New York was clearly the better of the two teams in Game 1 when it was lined as +132 underdogs on the moneyline.
The total is still hanging firm at a flat 5, but another game with eight goals as we saw on Wednesday night will beg for this total to come up to 5.5 as the series progresses.
GOALIE REPORT
Ben Bishop had his first really bad game of the postseason in Game 1. He allowed four goals on just 13 shots before he was given the hook for Andrei Vasilevskiy. We know that Bishop has a lot more potential than his .692 save percentage showed in that series opener, but the task is going to be much more difficult here against the Isles than it was against the Red Wings when he allowed two goals or fewer in each game of the series.
Meanwhile, the legend of Thomas Greiss continues to grow. He wasn't statistically overwhelming in Game 1, as he allowed three goals on 36 shots, but it was yet another example of a game in which he was peppered to death with shots but was able to hold the fort and lead his team to victory.
LIVE BETTING
Little things amount to a lot in the playoffs, and the biggest of the little things the Lightning didn't do well in Game 1 was win faceoffs. Vladislav Namestnikov went 6-3 in the circle, but the rest of the team's centers were awful, combining to go just 15-29.
Sure, the Lightning got a lot of rushes in that game, but so many were because of the run of play, not because of set plays off of stoppages.
QUICK PICK
John Tavares just looks like a one-man wrecking crew out there right now. He followed up his two goals in Game 6 against Florida by coming up with a goal and an assist against Tampa Bay in Game 1.
We're not all that sure New York really has this whole NHL series in it, but we know that it has a great price on its head at +135 to win Game 2. The Lightning will probably win this one more often than not, but there's a ton of value in backing the Isles at a fantastic price.
You never know if "lightning" will strike twice for New York.
NHL Odds: Islanders 3, Lightning 1
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker's live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning will start at 3:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Amalie Arena. Game 2 of this series will be televised live on NBC.
