There is all of one game on the docket tonight. So, let’s take a look at the top picks, plays and predictions.
Lightning vs Islanders
ML: -124 / +112
O/U: 5.5
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
At least the lone game tonight is a solid matchup. The New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning squared off in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last year, with the Bolts emerging victorious in five games.
More recently, the Isles ventured down to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning just last Thursday and got trounced by a score of 4-1. The Bolts struck twice on the powerplay and drew six opportunities. Steven Stamkos opened up the scoring on the man advantage, and tallied two more assists on the night. Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Brian Boyle also found the back of the net.
Brooklyn’s Andrew Ladd, who has been starved for goals this season, netted his second of the year in the second period. Ladd’s struggles have landed him a spot on the Isles’ fourth line, alongside Casey Cizikas and Nikolay Kulemin. Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey are slated on the top line with John Tavares.
Though Tavares has been his usual self to start the year, with 12 points in 15 games, his linemates have been underwhelming. Josh Bailey has two goals and six assists on the year, with Clutterbuck adding two goals and five assists. Bailey and Clutterbuck are fine role players, but top-line players they are not.
Since the start of November, Bailey and Clutterbuck have two points a piece in six games. Tavares has five points in that same stretch.
Andrei Vasilevsky looked rock-solid between the pipes for the Lightning in their meeting with the Islanders last week, stopping 31 of 32 shots. Ben Bishop is the projected starter for tonight against Jaroslav Halak. Halak was yanked from last Thursday’s game after allowing three goals on 16 shots in 22+ minutes.
Jonathan Drouin remains out of the lineup for tonight, though he could be re-inserted any day now. Drouin has been out of commission since the Lightning’s victory over the Islanders back on November 1st.
For the Isles, Dennis Seidenberg has been placed on the injured reserve after breaking his jaw. Though his possession stats are subpar, he is tied for third on the team in scoring with eight points. That is simultaneously good for Seidenberg and horrible for Brooklyn.
Travis Hamonic remains out with a broken thumb, with a return some five weeks away. Ryan Pulock is out with a broken foot for another month, at least. The defensive situation for the Islanders is looking grim.
Tampa is not without their holes on the blueline. After scoring his first goal of the season, Anton Stralman left the game Saturday and is considered day-to-day.
The Bolts have outscored the Islanders 10-2 in their two meetings this season, with their powerplay operating at a 4-for-13 clip. Stamkos and Kucherov both have five points in the season series. They are starting a five-game road trip tonight, and will be looking to get off on the right foot against a depleted Islanders team.
Brooklyn is 0-for-5 on the man advantage against Tampa this season. They are just 5-for-44 on the year, giving them the fifth-worst powerplay percentage in the league. If they want to gain the upper hand tonight on home ice, they will need to convert on their chances. They do not draw very many and they give a lot. Take what is given.
A black mark on Jack Capuano’s coaching record, if and when he is replaced this season, will be his underperforming special teams units. Granted, their penalty kill is especially weak this season because of their defensive absences, allowing the fourth-most powerplay goals in the league thus far, but even in years prior, New York has never been as good as it could be. When it’s Cappy’s turn to go, that will be the first thing I expect to pick up.
Prediction: Take the Tampa Bay Lightning to win this one on the road. Play the over.
