Pinnacle +117 BET365 +115 SportsInteraction +112 BetOnline +111 Bookmaker +115

Posted at 2:00 PM EST. 

N.Y. ISLANDERS +115 over Tampa Bay

8:08 PM EST. OT included. The Islanders got their split in Tampa but head coach Barry Trotz and company have to be fuming that they didn't leave the Bay Area with more than just one win. New York put forth a worthy road effort in Game 2. Had a bounce or two, or a too many men call gone its way; it may have been a much different result. As it stands, a 1-1 position coming home to Long Island suits us just fine. The Islanders were not outclassed or outplayed in Tampa. In fact, despite being outshot 33-26 in Game 2, the Islanders had a better HDCF% (High Danger scoring chances) and they had an xGF (expected goals) of 2.03 to the Bolts' 1.64. To suggest that the 4-2 final flattered the hometown Lightning would be an understatement. You'll find a similar game script in Game 1, which of course, the Islanders won 2-1.

The Islanders are a heavy and hard side to play against. Think of a UFC fight when the larger, more skilled fighter has their opponent smushed against the cage or pinned to the mat and all that opponent can do is squirm and suck wind. As the fight goes on, the weaker they become, the same could happen to the Bolts in this series.

The Islanders are going home to Uniondale and the intimate confines of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum should serve them well with over 12,000 success starved fanatics set to fill every seat that will be offered to them in "The Barn." Not only are there 15 months of pent up pandemic frustrations, but this will also be the first "conference final" played on Long Island since 1993. Also, do not forget the fact that Charles Wang (R.I.P.) tried to rip this team from the island and settle it in trendy Brooklyn. You don't know what you've got till it's gone and in another universe, "The Barn," site of so many championships runs for the Isles over the years, a one time paradise of playoff hockey, would be nothing more than a parking lot. Sure, UBS Arena is set to open next season, but that doesn't mean this old girl isn't worth taking out for one more spin. Just ask Isles forward Josh Bailey, “Yeah, it’s a special place. I think it means so much to our organization, to our fan base. You can just feel the support. It’s just a great place to play hockey and a great fan base to play in front of." If one is to believe in home-ice advantage, then it's advantage Islanders.

At the end of the day, the price dictates the play here and it is absurd that the Islanders are taking back such an inflated price in this situation. Quite frankly, it's disrespectful and should absolutely be locker room fodder, as if a Barry Trotz coached team would need any more of that. The Bolts were a near 2-1 favorite in Tampa. Should the Islanders not at least be spotting a small price here? Market perception is warped and it appears as if those talking heads are either watching a totally different game than we are, or they aren't watching at all. If you cannot see past names like Stamkos and Kucherov and don't appreciate how good Matt Barzal, Josh Bailey, Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, Nick Leddy, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau are, it's going to be tough sledding at the pay window. It’s a team game and top to bottom, the Islanders fit that definition to a T. The Bolts may win tonight, but the premium you are paying to back them does not come close to matching the performance.

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