The rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals continues on Tuesday, as the Islanders and Lighting face off for Game 2 in Tampa. Game 1 went to the Islanders, making it three straight series where the Lightning lost in the first home game of the series.
Here is a quick look back at what happened on Sunday, some players to watch, along with a free pick to win. Despite being down in the series, Tampa Bay is still a considerable favorite at -190 to win Game 2, while New York Islanders are a +160 underdog.
Series Recap
Game 1 was an evenly matched, defensive struggle where both teams had the same number of shots (31) and nearly the same number of hits (41). In those types of games, goals matter more than ever, which is how the Islanders won by a low score of 2-1.
The game was scoreless until there were about seven-and-a-half minutes left in the second period when center Mathew Barzal netted his fourth goal of the postseason to put New York up by a goal.
The lead then doubled within the first few minutes in the third period when defenseman Ryan Pulock scored, his fourth of the playoffs as well. Tampa Bay avoided the shutout thanks to Brayden Point’s ninth goal of the playoffs with under a minute to go, but it wasn’t enough to force OT.
New York did a good job of playing aggressive defense without taking penalties, as they only committed three penalties all game. It also helps that Semyon Varlamov was at the top of his game, stopping 30 of the 31 shots he faced against the defending champs.
Players to Watch
Although he didn’t have a point on Sunday, center Jean-Gabriel Pageau leads the Islanders in points with 13. The bulk of those (10) have come via assists, as Pageau has assists in seven postseason games.
The goal-scoring has been led by right-wing Kyle Palmieri, a veteran acquisition at the trade deadline who has seven goals. Center Brock Nelson has six goals as well, three of which came in the final two games of New York’s series against Boston.
As for Tampa Bay, right-wing Nikita Kucherov is the runaway points leader with 19 points in 12 games. The former Hart Trophy winner has 14 assists and a point in all but two of his playoff games, including five games with two or more points.
Point has been the biggest beneficiary of skating alongside Kucherov, leading the team with nine goals and tied for second with 13 points. Center Steven Stamkos is the other member of the trio, as he returned from the I.R. like Kucherov did when the playoffs started and has had 13 points as well.
Key Stats
Although New York managed to win 2-1 on Sunday, it may take more than two goals a night to dethrone the Lightning. Between the six games from last year’s ECF and Game 1 this year, the Islanders have scored more than two goals once, a 5-3 win in Game 3 at home last year. Considering they lost last year’s series in six, the offense will still need to figure out a way to beat Tampa’s dynamic goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Islanders at Lightning Betting Pick
While the Lightning are still favored, the Islanders are a team that thrives as the underdog. After shutting down Boston in Game 6 at even strength, they did the same thing to Tampa in Game 1. Although they will likely need to improve offensively to win the series, they have already won several postseason games where their expected goal rate was far lower than their opponent’s.
Still sitting at a tremendous underdog value, I’m picking the Islanders to once again surprise the hockey world and win another game on enemy territory.
Pick: Islanders +160
