Lightning At Islanders Odds

The Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-2) and New York Islanders (18-11-3) meet Saturday at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Islanders and make our expert NHL picks and predictions . The Lightning rolled to an 8-4 win in New Jersey last time out Thursday, cashing as moderate favorites (-140) with the Over (5.5) hitting.

G Jonas Johansson stopped 33 of 37 shots, while RW Oliver Bjorkstrand led the way with 2 goals and 3 points.
RW Nikita Kucherov was good for 4 assists, and C Jake Guentzel chipped in with a goal and 3 points. The Lightning were shut out 2-0 in consecutive games Dec. 6-8, including a setback at home against the Islanders.

However, Tampa Bay has erupted for 14 goals in 2 wins since. G Andrei Vasilevskiy remains sidelined due to an undisclosed injury, and D Victor Hedman (elbow) is out with an elbow issue.
The Islanders posted a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks as light favorites (-120) as the Over (6.5) cashed. LW Anders Lee notched 2 goals and 2 assists in the victory.

New York is 5-1-0 in the past 6 games, while the Over has a slight 3-2 edge in the previous 5 outings. Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list.
Lines last updated at 11:44 a.m. ET. We have 2 teams playing very good hockey lately, so something's gotta give.

This is the third meeting in December, and New York has scratched out 2 low-scoring wins, both in Elmont and in Tampa. The Isles just seem to have the number of the Lightning. New York +1.5 (-225) is just too expensive, if you cannot take it straight up, and need some insurance.
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