The Tampa Bay Lightning (14-10-3) entertain the New York Islanders (19-7-2) at Amalie Arena on Monday, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Lightning odds and lines while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Islanders at Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov vs. Curtis McElhinney
Varlamov has a 9-3-2 record for New York with a 2.35 goals against average and .923 save percentage. He stopped 31 of 33 shots in a home, overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. He was supposed to start on Saturday but was instead bumped to Monday.
McElhinney has a 3-2-2 record with a 3.42 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games played this season. The confirmed Tampa Bay starter last played Nov. 30, taking a home loss against Carolina when he gave up three goals on 24 shots.
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Islanders at Lightning: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Lightning 2
Moneyline (ML)
The ISLANDERS (+150) and Lightning (-182) are both rested headed into this matchup. New York is 3-2 in its last five games, Tampa Bay 2-2-1. Expect this game to be close. New York allows just 2.62 goals on the road and is a solid 7-5-1 on the road. BACK NEW YORK slightly.
A $10 bet with New York results in a $15.00 profit with an outright win for the Islanders.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Lightning are 11-16 ATS, while New York is 14-14 ATS. This is one to AVOID, as the Islanders’ number at +1.5 (-176) does not have the value of the moneyline. Taking this wager on a $10 bet would result in just a $5.68 profit.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 6.5 (-154) is a reasonably good play. Even though McElhinney is in net for Tampa Bay, the Islanders have struggled to score goals of late. They have also been quite stingy at allowing them, as well. Over its last five games, New York has scored 12 goals and yielded 10. The under has also connected in the Islanders’ last two contests.
Placing a $10 bet here will give a bettor a $6.49 profit with a total of six or fewer goals scored.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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