There is only one game on the schedule tonight. So, let’s have a look at the picks, plays and predictions for Lightning-Islanders, Game 4.
Here are the starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
The line is even on this matchup, with the Tampa Bay Lightning listed as -103 and the New York Islanders at -107. Per the usual for playoff games, the over/under is set at 5.
This series is about as even as it is unpredictable, and the odds-makers know it. The Islanders were badly outshot in Game 1, but still came away with the victory. They leapt out to a big early lead, but allowed the Lightning back in it. The Bolts still held the possession advantage in Game 2 and capitalized on it, winning 4-1.
Game 3 in Brooklyn was a lot different. The gap in the shot battle was closed to an even split. The scoring was started by some unlikely sources. Josh Bailey, receiving a bump up to the second line, got the scoring started by pouncing on a pass right in front of the net. Whether it was being in the right place at the right time or a masterful sixth sense pass by Nikolay Kulemin, it got the Islanders on the board. With 13 seconds to go in the period, Ryan Callahan netted his first goal of the playoffs for the Lightning to even things up.
After trading leads in the second period back and forth, Cal Clutterbuck put the Isles on top 4-3 halfway through the third period. With less than a minute to go in regulation, Nikita Kucherov (who else) wristed home the equalizer of a tremendous pass from Jonathan Drouin. Drouin, exemplifying remarkable patience, slowly carried the puck down the near-side boards before threading the needle through five sticks clogging the middle to find Kucherov. I stillam having trouble comprehending how this pass managed to get through the middle of the ice unimpeded. All the same, great pass and better finish on the part of Kucherov.
Less than three minutes into overtime, Brian Boyle, the big fourth liner, put home the game-winner. It was a wonky play to say the least. After avoiding a big hit along the boards, Boyle streaked into the zone and attempted a drop pass back to Callahan. The pass was tipped and landed on the stick of Victor Hedman, who shot well wide on a slapshot. Thomas Greiss was drawn way out of his net. Boyle, standing by the near post, corralled the loose puck and stickhandled it into a vacated net.
The game has to be a heartbreaker for the Islanders. It is brutal to carry a lead into the final minute of regulation and then not so much as get a shot off during overtime.
It has to be especially demoralizing considering how well this game was played for them. Their possession was considerably better, they held the physical advantage, they did a very good job of clogging shooting lanes, and yet they still came out empty handed. Thomas Greiss performed admirably, stopping 36 of 41 shots, and the times he was scored on, they were usually off beautiful passing plays and perfectly placed shots.
Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Josh Bailey all recorded multipoint nights. The Isles’ fourth line has been buzzing.
Victor Hedman led all skaters in scoring with a goal and three assists. Valtteri Filppula and Alex Killorn both registered two assists. Kucherov’s goal was his seventh of the postseason, with Drouin collecting his seventh assist.
The Isles are going to be very hard to sweep on home ice. I would expect a motivated, energized Brooklyn squad tonight. They will need to tighten up the penalty kill and keep firing at Ben Bishop. This time of year, the way to beat him is through quantity and getting to the dirty areas, cliché as that sounds.
Prediction: Take the New York Islanders to win this one at home and even up the series. Play the over.
