A clear difference is seen between New York Islanders’ perception and reality. NYI has a reputation for being a boring shutdown team. However, the truth is often different. Opportunism is the Islanders calling card. New York uses defense and structure to frustrate opponents into making mistakes. And then the Isles capitalize on those errors for success with the NHL betting odds. Tampa Bay Lightning played right into the Islanders’ hands in game four on Saturday. Stupid penalties and a few too many mistakes led to a 3-2 New York win. Now the series shifts to Tampa Bay for a critical Game-5.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning Game 5 Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Monday, June 21, 2021, 8 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida |
| Islanders at Lightning TV Coverage: | NBCSN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islanders | +1½ (-185) | 5 (-133) | +160 |  |
| Lightning | -1½ (+160) | 5 (+113) | -185 | |
| ||||
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Odds Overview
On this occasion, the Lightning has been bet up to heavy offshore betting favorites. Tampa Bay at home is the ultimate casual money play. Squares don’t have the nerve to step into defending Stanley Cup champions on home ice. Especially one that is reputed to have far more talent, skill, and speed than their plodding opponents. Offsetting the casual money is sharp cash on the Islanders. Wise Guys thrive by betting on quality road dogs. It’s their meat and potatoes. Cause by the value that such teams bring. Time and again, the Islanders defy the experts.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
Late on, the Lightning has won seven of their last ten. Only two of their previous ten games cleared the total.
When the top goaltenders in the NHL are mentioned, Andrei Vasilevskiy is often omitted. On the whole, it is a glaring oversight. Vasilevskiy has dominated in the 2021 NHL Playoffs. To illuminate, his save percentage is .933 with 2.19 goals-against average and two shutouts.
Upfront center Brayden Point leads the Bolts with 12 goals, four assists, and a +2. Right-wing Nikita Kucherov adds five goals, 19 assists, and a +1. Defenseman Victor Hedman has a goal with 13 assists. Most important of all, Hedman quarterbacks the lethal Tampa Bay power play.
New York Islanders Team Overview
In like manner, the Islanders have the hot hand. New York got the cash in six of their previous nine games. Only three of their last ten tilts stayed under the total. Second in the NHL Playoffs for goals allowed fits the Islanders image.
Islanders Semyon Varlamov has won the net after splitting the first round with Ilya Sorokin. To show, Varlamov has a .923 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average.
Center Brock Nelson and right-wing Kyle Palmieri lead New York with seven goals each. Center Jean Gabriel Pageau adds three goals, ten assists, and a +11.
Head coach Barry Trotz is winning accolades for the job he’s done with the Islanders. Accordingly, Trotz has made the Islanders the most disciplined team in the NHL.
New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning SBG Free Picks
In this situation, the Islanders are a strong contrarian NHL betting pick. Compared to Lightning, New York will be ignored by the masses. Hence, the Islanders are getting an enhanced price from the oddsmakers.
Islanders at Lightning SBG Best Bet: New York Islanders.