MattMartin
Killer Instinct™
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING AT NEW YORK ISLANDERS
GAME 4: ISLANDERS VS LIGHTNING
8 PM | NASSAU COLISEUM
TAMPA LEADS SERIES 2-1
WATCH: USA, CBC, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV
LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | 98.7FM
Preview
The Lightning have taken a 2-1 series lead after putting on a defensive clinic to win Game 3. Teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series go on to win 78% of the time.
Bolts’ Defense Shines In Game 3
The Lightning have taken a 2-1 lead in the series after shutting down the Islanders’ offense in Game 3. Tampa Bay blocked 21 shots and got 27 saves from Vezina Trophy nominee Andrei Vasilevskiy in a 2-1 victory. Brayden Point scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the second period.
The Lightning were outshot 28-25 by the Islanders, but they put on a defensive clinic in the final three minutes to prevent New York from getting a shot through to Vasilevskiy. Defenseman Victor Hedman played a big part in the shutdown effort, logging 26:30 of ice time and blocking four shots.
The Lightning also had a 2-1 series lead over the Islanders in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final and went on to win Game 4 in convincing fashion. They’ll need a more complete offensive showing if they want to repeat that process. The Bolts were held to just five shots on goal in the third period of Thursday’s Game 3.
Wahlstrom Could Spark Isles’ Offense
The Islanders’ offense could get a spark in Game 4 in the form of Oliver Wahlstrom. The rookie sniper has been a healthy scratch over the past few games despite returning from a lower-body injury. Head coach Barry Trotz has opted to play the veteran Travis Zajac over Wahlstrom against the Lightning.
Trotz has stated that Wahlstrom is an option in Game 4. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals and 21 points in 44 regular-season games before adding a goal and three points in five playoff games against Pittsburgh. Wahlstrom has a lethal wrist shot and would bolster an Islanders’ power play operating at 25%.
The Islanders have scored just five goals in their first three games against the Lightning, so it’s clear things need to change. High-danger chances were 15-5 in favor of New York in Game 3, however, so it’s mainly about finishing chances. Wahlstrom excels in that area and will likely be inserted into the lineup for that reason alone.
Trendspotting
There are some key trends to keep in mind when betting Game 4 between the Lightning and Islanders. Tampa Bay is now 6-1 on the road this postseason and goalie Vasilevskiy has allowed just one goal or fewer in each of his past four road games. On offense, Brayden Points is red-hot and has scored in six straight games.
Islanders’ forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri are among the team’s top scorers, but have been held off the scoresheet in three consecutive games. Both teams won their respective Game 4’s in the two previous rounds of the playoffs.
Playoff Series History
.GAME 4: ISLANDERS VS LIGHTNING
8 PM | NASSAU COLISEUM
TAMPA LEADS SERIES 2-1
WATCH: USA, CBC, SN, TVAS, NHL.TV
LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | 98.7FM
Preview
The Lightning have taken a 2-1 series lead after putting on a defensive clinic to win Game 3. Teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series go on to win 78% of the time.
Bolts’ Defense Shines In Game 3
The Lightning have taken a 2-1 lead in the series after shutting down the Islanders’ offense in Game 3. Tampa Bay blocked 21 shots and got 27 saves from Vezina Trophy nominee Andrei Vasilevskiy in a 2-1 victory. Brayden Point scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the second period.
The Lightning were outshot 28-25 by the Islanders, but they put on a defensive clinic in the final three minutes to prevent New York from getting a shot through to Vasilevskiy. Defenseman Victor Hedman played a big part in the shutdown effort, logging 26:30 of ice time and blocking four shots.
The Lightning also had a 2-1 series lead over the Islanders in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final and went on to win Game 4 in convincing fashion. They’ll need a more complete offensive showing if they want to repeat that process. The Bolts were held to just five shots on goal in the third period of Thursday’s Game 3.
Wahlstrom Could Spark Isles’ Offense
The Islanders’ offense could get a spark in Game 4 in the form of Oliver Wahlstrom. The rookie sniper has been a healthy scratch over the past few games despite returning from a lower-body injury. Head coach Barry Trotz has opted to play the veteran Travis Zajac over Wahlstrom against the Lightning.
Trotz has stated that Wahlstrom is an option in Game 4. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals and 21 points in 44 regular-season games before adding a goal and three points in five playoff games against Pittsburgh. Wahlstrom has a lethal wrist shot and would bolster an Islanders’ power play operating at 25%.
The Islanders have scored just five goals in their first three games against the Lightning, so it’s clear things need to change. High-danger chances were 15-5 in favor of New York in Game 3, however, so it’s mainly about finishing chances. Wahlstrom excels in that area and will likely be inserted into the lineup for that reason alone.
Trendspotting
There are some key trends to keep in mind when betting Game 4 between the Lightning and Islanders. Tampa Bay is now 6-1 on the road this postseason and goalie Vasilevskiy has allowed just one goal or fewer in each of his past four road games. On offense, Brayden Points is red-hot and has scored in six straight games.
Islanders’ forwards Anthony Beauvillier, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri are among the team’s top scorers, but have been held off the scoresheet in three consecutive games. Both teams won their respective Game 4’s in the two previous rounds of the playoffs.
Playoff Series History
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2003-2004
2004 NHL Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals: NYI vs. TBL | Hockey-Reference.com
2015-2016
2016 NHL Eastern Second Round: NYI vs. TBL | Hockey-Reference.com
2019-2020
2020 NHL Eastern Conference Finals: NYI vs. TBL | Hockey-Reference.com
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All Time Record VS Lightning
| .....................ALL GAMES......................... | .............................HOME............................. | ..............................AWAY.............................. | .......................PLAYOFFS.................... |
| W-L-T | WIN% | GFPG | GAPG | W-L-T | WIN% | GFPG | GAPG | W-L-T | WIN% | GFPG | GAPG | W-L | WIN% | GFPG | GAPG |
| 54-65-3 | 45.5 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 29-29-1 | 50.0 | 2.9 | 2.7 | 25-36-2 | 41.3 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 5-14 | 26.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 |
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Possible Starting Goalies:
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Possible Lineups:
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Team Leaders:
Game 1 Highlights
Islanders vs. Lightning - Game Recap - June 13, 2021 - ESPN
Game 2 Highlights/Recap
Islanders vs. Lightning - Game Recap - June 15, 2021 - ESPN
Game 2 Highlights/Recap
Lightning vs. Islanders - Game Recap - June 17, 2021 - ESPN
