NY Islanders vs Tampa Bay Lightning 9/7/20 - NHL Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/06/2020 at 11:16 AM ET

The New York Islanders open their NHL Eastern Conference Finals best of seven series on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Islanders defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 in a seventh and deciding game of their conference semifinals on Saturday. Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss made 16 saves to post the shutout sending New York to the Conference finals for the first time in 27 years.

Left winger Anthony Beauvillier is leading New York in goals scored during the postseason with eight, while left winger Josh Bailey is the leader in assists with 15 and points with 17. Left winger Anders Lee has a team-high 13 penalty minutes. In goal, Semyon Varlamov is 9-4 with a goals against average of 2.00 and save percentage of .921.

Tampa Bay reached the Conference Finals after disposing of the Boston Bruins 4-1 in their best-of-seven semifinal series. Tampa Bay has won four straight after losing the opening game of the series to Boston and overall the Lightning have won seven of their last eight and 10 of their last 13. Tampa Bay has played as well or better than any of the remaining four teams vying for the Stanley Cup.

Center Brayden Point is leading Tampa Bay in goals scored with six, assists with 12 and points with 18 during the postseason. Center Blake Coleman has a team-high 23 penalty minutes and defenseman Victor Hedman has a team-high plus/minus rating of +11. In goal, Andrei Vasilevskiy is 10-3 with a goals-against average of 1.91 and save percentage of .931.

Tampa Bay is known for its scoring prowess, but the Lightning have had excellent play from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has a goals-against average during the postseason of just 1.99. Head-to-head with the Islanders, the Lightning have won 12 of the last 16. Tampa Bay comes into this series well rested after eliminating the Boston Bruins in just five games, while New York was forced to a full seven games in their series to beat Philadelphia. Final Score Prediction, Tampa Bay Lightning wins 3-1.

Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App

Get A free VIP Pick Daily!