NHL Showdown Slate: New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Spread: TB -1.5

O/U: 5.5

 

Injuries

Islanders

None

Lightning

None

MVP/CPT

Nikita Kucherov, F TB

Kucherov is coming off a three point game, but he will likely find it harder to get free with the series shifting to Long Island, and the Islanders being able to utilize the last change. While this will make things more difficult for him to have a big game, it's far from impossible.

Andrei Vasilevskiy, G TB

There might not be a safer floor in this game than Vasilevskiy. He hasn’t given up more than two goals in just two of his last eight games. 

Ryan Pulock, D NYI

Should this be a low scoring game, Pulock is in a place where he can get you points without hitting the scoreboard. He blocks shots on a regular basis, but he will also give you shots and he has scored in two of his last three games.

Mid-Tier

Victor Hedman, D TB

Hedman has the highest upside of any player going tonight, because of his ability to get you points, shots and blocks, and hit all three bonuses.

Alex Killorn, F TB

Killorn’s point streak has ended, but he hasn’t gone more than one game without a point in these playoffs.

Scott Mayfield, D NYI

Mayfield missed the block total for the first time in three games last game, but I still love the floor with Mayfield. I expect he will surpass the three block total again tonight.

Mathew Barzal, F NYI

After a slow start to the playoffs, Barzal has really turned things around as of late. He has scored in four of his last five games played, and he has scored in back-to-back games.

Value Tier

Barclay Goodrow, F TB

Goodrow is a bit of a dice roll. He got an assist in the last game, but he is the type of player who can affect the game, and when his line is one, they are very effective and can put up points for the Lightning, and they will need that on the road.

Anthony Cirelli, F TB

Look for Cirelli to play a bigger role tonight with the Islanders using last change to try to cancel out Tampa Bay’s top line. Tampa Bay’s second line one I would want to have some shares of.

Noah Dobson, D NYI

Dobson is a nice value play. He is the primary defense-men on the Islanders power play, which is a nice path for him to get points.