The Tampa Bay Lightning came back from down 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 to beat the New York Islanders in Game 3 of this best-of-seven series. Momentum is a funny thing, and if the Bolts can keep that rolling after a couple days off, they can put this series on lockdown in Game 4 in Brooklyn.
You can bet on NHL odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Desperation is going to set in here for the Isles, and having the couple days off in a row should end up helping out a lot. They were -113 favorites in Game 3 and will probably be bigger than that in Game 4, especially considering the fact that, to the naked eye, they were at least comparable, if not the slightly better team on the ice Tuesday night.
GOALIE REPORT
You have to wonder if the magic of Thomas Greiss is starting to wear off. He's now allowed at least three goals in three straight games, including giving up five on Tuesday night. He wasn't awful in the game, stopping 36-of-41 shots, but his numbers for the postseason aren't anything to write home about anymore: 5-3-1, 2.34 GAA, .930 save percentage.
Ben Bishop didn't have the greatest night in the world either, as he allowed four goals on 39 shots. He didn't have a thing to do in overtime though, as the Lightning got all three of the shots on net and ultimately buried the winner. Bishop hasn't been fantastic in this offensive-laden series either, but he could be the Vezina Trophy winner this year and has consistently been one of the very best net minders in the league.
LIVE BETTING
John Tavares and Kyle Okposo have now been strangely quiet for a couple games in a row, and that's not good news for the Islanders. The two have combined for no points, and both were -2 in Game 3.
The Lightning got the goal they needed from their star right at the end of regulation, as Nikita Kucherov buried his seventh of these playoffs in just eight games with six attackers on the ice. Big players come up big in big games, and at least these last few nights, it's been Kucherov and the Tampa Bay offensive lines coming up with the bigger and better results.
QUICK PICK
The cream might've risen to the top in this series through three games. The Islanders seemed to catch Tampa Bay napping just a bit in the first period of Game 1, but since taking a 4-1 lead in the first 40 minutes of this series, they've been outscored 11-6.
Perhaps if this game was being played in Tampa, we'd feel a little bit differently about laying such lumber with the Lightning, but knowing that they're going to be dogs in this game, we can't relent. Tampa Bay is the better of these two teams, especially when Tavares and Okposo aren't playing at their best, and unless the Islanders' superstars plan on playing like they belong here for the first time since the first period of Game 1, we'll be happy to back the Bolts.
NHL Odds: Tampa Bay 3, New York 1
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! Game 4 of this series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Islanders will commence on Friday, May 6, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
