The New York Islanders (23-20-7) travel to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (27-20-3) on Saturday, February 1st. This game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa and televised on ESPN+. Both the Islanders and Lightning will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.
Islanders vs Lightning
The New York Islanders Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
The Islanders fell to 23-20-7 after a 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Entering the game as underdogs on the puck line, the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.
Trailing 2-0, Casey Cizikas scored at 15:22 in the second period to cut the deficit. The Islanders added another goal with just 8 seconds left in the second, but the Rangers pulled away with two more goals in the third.
The Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Bounce Back From A Loss
Tampa Bay fell to 27-20-3 after a 7-4 road loss to the Jets. The Lightning led 2-0 early, but the defense faltered, allowing seven unanswered goals. As underdogs on the puck line, Tampa Bay failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 11 goals easily surpassed that mark.
Four different Lightning players scored in the game, but the defense couldn’t hold up, especially in the third period, where they allowed four goals. Tampa Bay’s last goal tied the game at 4-4 before the Jets pulled away with three more, including two empty-netters.
New York Offense Breakdown
Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth in the Islanders’ 5-2 loss to the Rangers. New York took 37 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 23 in the game.
After a scoreless first period, Cizikas got the Islanders on the board 4:38 into the second. Nelson followed with a goal just 8 seconds before the period ended. Pierre Engvall earned his first assist of the season, and Simon Holmstrom picked up his fourth.
Lightning Offense Breakdown
Tampa Bay’s offense tallied 4 goals on 30 shots in their 7-4 loss to the Jets. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point added his 8th on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee netted his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored his 10th.
The Lightning had 8 giveaways and recorded 4 assists. Jake Guentzel picked up his 8th assist, and Nick Paul added his 7th. Victor Hedman now has 10 assists, as does Kucherov.
New York Team Defense
Defensively, the Islanders gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the game and allowed two more in the 3rd period, including one at 5:18 and an empty-netter at 16:37. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage.
Tampa Bay Team Defense
Tampa Bay’s defense gave up two late goals in the 3rd period, both empty netters, in their 7-4 loss to the Jets. After the Lightning tied the game at 4-4, the Jets scored at the 7:38 mark and then added the two empty net goals. Goalie Jonas Johansson had 27 saves with a save percentage of 84.4%.
Islanders vs Lightning Trends
- New York has played well in their previous three road games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 0. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 3-0.
- Tampa Bay has played well in their previous five home games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 1. The team also performed well vs the puck line at 3-2.
- Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Lightning have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the puck line in these games was 4-1.
- New York has done well both straight up and vs the puck line when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 puck line in their last three games.
Islanders vs Lightning Prediction
When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Lightning to come out with a win against the Islanders while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -167, I’m placing my bet on the Lightning to win outright.
When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Lightning to win and cover. Watch for the Lightning to win this game by multiple goals over the Islanders.
When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:February 1, 2025 Islanders, Lightning