The New York Islanders have blown so many chances in this series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Now, after their latest blunder, blowing a 1-0 lead in the third period of Game 4, they've been pushed to the brink of elimination and will have to win three playoff games in a row for the first time in almost 30 years. Game 5 is the first test, and it comes on Sunday afternoon.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The Bolts have rallied for three straight wins in this series after losing Game 1, and it's really tough to argue with them right now. They were short underdogs in each of the two games played in Brooklyn, but they're sure to be relatively large favorites in Game 5 of this series.
Against Detroit, after being lined at -157 and -153 in Games 1 and 2, the Lightning were set at -145. They were -147 and -161 in the first two games of this series, so we expect the number to be hovering right around that -150 mark they were near in Game 5 of the Detroit series.
GOALIE REPORT
Ben Bishop had every reason in the world to be beaten in Game 4 of this series. He wasn't particularly good in an offensive-minded Game 3, and he faced 16 shots on goal in the first period of play. The team rallied around him though, blocking more shots in the second period, third period and overtime than got through to Bishop, and he ended up facing a total of just 28 shots for the game. He allowed just a first period goal to Kyle Okposo and was perfect aside from that.
Thomas Greiss left briefly in Game 4 with a leg injury, but he ultimately came back a few minutes later and was pretty good, yet not spectacular. The goal he allowed to Jason Garrison in overtime wasn't overly impressive, and that's a bad sign that his season might be one game from ending in spite of his magical run.
LIVE BETTING
The Lightning have done everything right in this series in regards to stopping John Tavares. John Cooper has done a remarkable job making sure the matchups with the Tavares line have been good. Not only has Tavares not logged a single point in the last three games of this series, but he only has seven shots in the three games as well and has a +/- of -3.
QUICK PICK
The Islanders had a really nice run to get this far, but they're finished. The magic of Greiss is clearly wearing off, and the Lightning look like they could legitimately be headed back to a second straight Stanley Cup Finals.
They're still getting fantastic contributions from Nikita Kucherov, who tied Game 4 7:49 into the third period, yet it's the other lines which are really coming up with the timely goals when needed. If that Andrej Sustr/Ondrej Palat line is producing like it did on Garrison's overtime winner, this is a really tough team to beat.
The scariest part? Steven Stamkos still hasn't stepped on the ice in the playoffs. The Lightning could be frightening if he gets healthy. They'll have a few days to get ready for the Eastern Conference Finals after finishing this one off on Sunday afternoon.
NHL Odds: Lightning 4, Islanders 1
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