The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning play Game 5 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs third-round series Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Lightning odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning were looking to push the Islanders to the brink in Game 4, but New York had other plans Saturday night. They leveled the series 2-2, setting up a decisive Game 5.
It was a razor thin margin as Islanders rearguard Ryan Pulock sacrificed his body in the crease in the final seconds to keep the game-tying goal out of the net.
Islanders at Lightning: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Islanders +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Lightning -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Islanders +1.5 (-175) | Lightning -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -145 | U: +120)
Islanders at Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov (19-11-4, 2.04 GAA, .929 SV%, 7 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (31-10-1, 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO). Stats from regular season.
Varlamov was outstanding in Game 4 turning aside 28 of the 30 shots he faced to help level the series. He has allowed two or fewer goals in three of his four starts in the series and six of his previous eight games overall.
Vasilevskiy made 27 saves on Saturday, but he allowed three goals. That snapped a four-game streak with two or fewer goals or just five total allowed.
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Islanders at Lightning: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Lightning 3, Islanders 2
Money line (ML)
The LIGHTNING (-190) are listed slightly higher than my personal money line limit of -180, but I actually like them here on home ice in a decisive Game 5. This is where Tampa Bay will show its championship mettle, pushing New York to the brink, but it will be a narrow victory.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The ISLANDERS +1.5 (-175) aren’t too terribly expensive on the puck line. Three of the first four games in this series have decided by one goal, and this big Game 5 won’t be any different.
Over/Under (O/U)
The TOTAL 5 should be a push, as I expect five total goals. As such, play the UNDER 5.5 (-150) on the alternate line. It’s a much better play in what should be a tight game with goals at a premium.
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