New York at Tampa Bay

What a week for the NY Islanders! They won Game 5 at Florida, Game 6 at home to wrap up the series, then stole a win in Game 1 at Tampa Bay. The Islanders needed overtime to get three of four victories against the Florida Panthers in the opening round. However, this is their third game on the road in the last four contests. They face a dynamite Tampa Bay team that is in must-win mode ranked #12 in goals scored, while the defense is fifth in goals allowed, seventh in penalty killing. The Lightning lost Game 1 but are 64-31 in their last 95 home games. Tampa Bay outshot New York in the opener 36-22 and won the battle of hits 33-29. The Lightning are 20-8 after allowing five goals or more in their previous game, plus 8-3 when playing off of two days of rest. This is only the talented Lightning's second game in the last eight days, so look for the defending Eastern Conference champions to bounce back. Take Tampa Bay.