New York Islanders vs Tampa Bay Lightning: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/1/2023

by Chuck Sommers

Friday, Mar 31, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Where to watch: MSGSN, BSSUNX

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Check back later for odds
BetMGM: Check back later for odds
Caesars: Check back later for odds

Season record
Islanders: 39-28-9
Lightning:  44-26-6

The All-Star break is over, the second half of the NHL season can officially begin, and we're bound for what should be a very exciting second half of the hockey season. Basketball and hockey are about to rule the roost in the sports betting world once the Super Bowl is done with, and we should all be very excited for what's to come. When the trade deadline hits and players switch teams, you know things are about to get hectic over these final 30 games or so. One way you can stay tuned with the action is following what our champion handicappers are doing in the world of the NHL. Look at ASA, Inc., reeling in a $6,750 profit off a 17-9-0 run. Al McMordie is also doing well on the ice with a 13-5-0 run and a net profit of $6,050. Scott Rickenbach has also been hanging strong with a lot of betting action, in what's been an unusual year, with a 24-18-0 run and reeling in $5,950. You know this action is going to be great now that games are back and a busy second half if on the horizon. All you need to do is head to our BEST BETS page at bigal.com to find out all of what we're trying to tell you. Make sure you're locked in at bigal.com and go to our Best Bets page to find out what our champion handicappers have to say in the world of the NHL!

Islanders - Lightning preview, prediction and analysis


On April 1, 2023, the New York Islanders will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in what promises to be a highly anticipated matchup. The game will be played at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, and both teams will be looking to secure a victory as they jostle for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.

The New York Islanders have had a strong season so far, currently sitting with the first wild card in the East. They are a defensively focused team, with a stingy defense that has allowed just 2.35 goals against per game, the lowest mark in the league. Their success has been largely due to the outstanding play of their goaltenders, with both Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin posting strong numbers throughout the season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, are the three-time Eastern Conference champions. They are an offensively potent team, with several star players leading the charge, including forwards Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Steven Stamkos, and defenseman Victor Hedman. Kucherov, in particular, has been outstanding this season, tallying 98 points in just 62 games played, while Point has contributed 81 points in 66 games played. Hedman has been solid on the blue line, playing over 24 minutes per game and contributing offensively with 57 points. In net, the Lightning have relied on the strong play of Andrei Vasilevskiy, who remains one of the best goalies in the world.

When these two teams last met earlier in the season, it was the Lightning who emerged victorious with a 3-2 win on the road. However, the Islanders have improved since then, and this upcoming matchup could be a different story. The Lightning will be looking to continue their strong form and push for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, while the Islanders will be looking to make a statement and prove that they can compete with the best teams in the league.

One key factor to watch out for in this game is the special teams play of both teams. The Lightning have been excellent on the power play this season, with a success rate of 28.5%, the highest mark in the league. They have also been solid on the penalty kill, with a success rate of 85.9%. The Islanders, meanwhile, have struggled on the power play, with a success rate of just 16.4%, but have been outstanding on the penalty kill, with a success rate of 84.8%. If the Lightning can take advantage of their strong power play and capitalize on the Islanders' weaker penalty kill, it could give them a significant advantage in the game.

Another factor to consider is the play of the goaltenders. Varlamov and Sorokin have both been outstanding for the Islanders this season, but they will be facing a tough challenge in the Lightning's potent offense. Vasilevskiy, meanwhile, has been one of the top goaltenders in the league this season and will be looking to continue his strong play and shut down the Islanders' offense.

In conclusion, the upcoming matchup between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning is sure to be a highly anticipated matchup between two strong teams in the Eastern Conference.

Prediction

This is always a grind-it-out defensive battle and this should be no different. Look for Tampa to get on track and get a win here. Lightning 3, Islanders 2

Projected lines

Islanders:

Zach Parise -- Bo Horvat -- Hudson Fasching

Pierre Engvall -- Brock Nelson -- Kyle Palmieri

Anders Lee -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Simon Holmstrom

Matt Martin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech -- Scott Mayfield

Alexander Romanov -- Ryan Pulock

Samuel Bolduc -- Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin

Lightning:

Steven Stamkos -- Brayden Point -- Nikita Kucherov

Brandon Hagel -- Anthony Cirelli -- Alex Killorn

Ross Colton -- Nicholas Paul -- Pat Maroon

Tanner Jeannot -- Michael Eyssimont -- Corey Perry

Victor Hedman -- Nick Perbix

Mikhail Sergachev -- Darren Raddysh

Ian Cole -- Erik Cernak

Andrei Vasilevskiy

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this preview, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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