playoffs: 2020-21 | Semis | (C3) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (E4) New York Islanders

[Phil]

 

(C3) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (E4) New York Islanders

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

The Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders will meet in the third round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season when they play in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.

 

The Lightning eliminated the Islanders in six games in the Eastern Conference Final last season before defeating the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Final.

 

 

 

 

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[td]GAME BREAKERS:[/td]

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[td]Lightning: Brayden Point is tied for the playoff lead with eight goals, including five on the power play. The center has scored 12 points in 11 games after scoring 33 points (14 goals, 19 assists) in 23 playoff games last season; he has scored 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) in 55 NHL postseason games. Cooper has called Point one of those players who can "do big things in big moments and the moment is not too big for him." He's a game-breaker because his speed matches his skill. He breaks down opposing forechecks and routinely gains a step on defenseman to generate breakaways or odd-man rushes. [/td]

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[td]Islanders: Mathew Barzal had a four-game point streak and three-game goal streak end in a series-ending 6-2 win against the Bruins on Wednesday. The center scored six points (three goals, three assists) in Games 2-5, including the game-winning goal in Game 4, a 4-1 win that allowed New York to even the series. There are times when Barzal gets limited minutes, as he did in Game 6 against the Bruins, playing 17 shifts totaling 10:58. He can slump at times, as he did going without a goal in the first eight playoff games. But when he breaks out, he's New York's most dangerous forward and often the first player the opposition thinks about shutting down.[/td]

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[td]GOALTENDING:[/td]

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[td]Lightning: Vasilevskiy had a 29-save shutout in a 2-0 series-ending win in Game 5 against the Hurricanes. He has a shutout in his past three series-clinching wins, including 2-0 against the Stars in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final last season. Vasilevskiy is 8-3 with a 2.24 goals-against average and .934 save percentage, allowing two goals or fewer in six of his 11 starts. He was 31-10-1 with a 2.21 GAA, .925 save percentage and five shutouts during the regular season. Vasilevskiy won the Vezina Trophy voted as the top goalie in the NHL in 2018-19.[/td]

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[td]Islanders: New York has used Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin during the playoffs. Varlamov was the goalie who helped it eliminate Boston, winnng four of the final five games with a 2.26 GAA and .934 save percentage (12 goals on 181 shots). Sorokin was arguably the biggest reason the Islanders eliminated the Penguins. He made 39 saves in a 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 before Varlamov lost Games 2 and 3. Sorokin won Games 4-6 with a 1.79 GAA and .949 save percentage (six goals on 117 shots). New York is comfortable with either goalie and could use each in the series.[/td]

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[td]X FACTORS:[/td]

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[td]Lightning: Mikhail Sergachev plays a similar role as defenseman Victor Hedman, albeit with fewer minutes and in less prominent spots. Sergachev is averaging 22:06 per game in the playoffs, third on the Lightning; Hedman is averaging a Tampa Bay-high 24:48. Sergachev plays on the rarely used second power play; Hedman quarterbacks the highly effective first unit. Sergachev is playing 1:59 per game shorthanded; Hedman is playing 2:01. Sergachev, Hedman and defenseman Ryan McDonagh each have 22 blocked shots, tied for the Tampa Bay lead. Sergachev had a Lightning-high five blocked shots in Game 5 against Carolina. He does everything well, like Hedman, and gives the third defense pair similar characteristics to its top pair.[/td]

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[td]Islanders: Brock Nelson has played his best in the biggest games. The center scored two goals and had an assist in Game 6 against the Penguins, helping the Islanders win 5-3 to close out the series. He scored the winning goal in Game 5 against Boston, a 5-4 victory that gave New York the series lead. In Game 6, Nelson scored two goals 7:19 apart in the second period to give the Islanders a 3-1 lead. They won 6-2 to end the series. He has scored 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 12 games after scoring 18 points (nine goals, nine assists), including three game-winning goals in 22 postseason games last season. He is averaging 0.83 points per game in these playoffs, up from 0.59 points per game during the regular season.[/td]

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[td]WILL WIN IF:[/td]

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[td]Lightning: It's hard to see them losing if their power play continues to succeed at a near 42 percent clip. Tampa Bay is content playing it even at 5-on-5 if its power play continues to be this effective. It had a strong penalty kill against Carolina too, which made its success on the power play matter even more. The Lightning need to keep getting contributions from all four forward lines, as they have in the first two rounds. And they will need to stay healthy; they have lost eight man-games to injury in the playoffs but enter the Cup Semifinals at full strength.[/td]

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[td]Islanders: In addition to excellent goaltending and strong depth, New York must remain the least penalized team in the NHL to have a chance. The Islanders' penalty kill has struggled so far at 61.5 percent (16-for-26). But remaining disciplined gives them a chance to make this a 5-on-5 series and potentially gives their power play a chance to be difference-maker. New York has been shorthanded 38:38 total in the postseason, an average of 3:13 per game, the lowest among playoff teams. Its power play is 28.1 percent (9-for-32).[/td]

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More: https://www.nhl.com/news/tampa-bay-lightning-new-york-islanders-series-preview/c-325292520?tid=287339198

 

 

[Sharpshooter]

This should be an interesting rematch, hopefully Tampa Bay can pull it out again. :D

[Morphinity 2.0]

You don't bet against the Islanders x 100000000000

[siddious]

I have a bad feeling the isles are gonna win

 

 

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[RichieNextel305]

As far as depth goes, Tampa is probably the only team in the playoffs who have the kind of depth the Islanders do. And that is largely because they are playing $20 Million over the cap. Two different teams, different styles, different coaches. Though they haven’t played this season, very familiar with each other’s tendencies. I’d be surprised if this didn’t go 6 or 7 games.

[Phil]

You don't bet against the Islanders x 100000000000

 

This. Isles in 7.

[BrooksBurner]

Tampa in 4

[Sod16]

The Islanders played a perfect game in Game 6 against Boston, so hats off to them for that. Remember, however, that given equal goaltending, they probably would have been eliminated in the first round, and the hockey media would be talking about their inadequacies instead of sanctifying them. Modest prediction: with the series tied 2-2, Tampa outshoots the Islanders 44-19 in a pivotal Game 5, and the Islanders do not win, as they managed to do against Boston.

[Albatrosss]

if the piles beat tampa, it pretty much means they'll win the cup. that would be a miserable month

[Pete]

This. Isles in 7.

You don't bet against the Islanders x 100000000000

YMBI

[Karan]

Outcome ought to be a repeat of last year. Except the Isles are a little better this year and will push the Lightning to 7 games ;)

[SaveByRichter35]

if the piles beat tampa, it pretty much means they'll win the cup. that would be a miserable month

 

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit

[jsm7302]

I'm rooting for the isles! F it!

[josh]

I'm rooting for the isles! F it!

 

I dont really care who wins, but a small part of me hopes someone steals your credit card information.

[SaveByRichter35]

I'm rooting for the isles! F it!

 

:puke:

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

I have a bad feeling the isles are gonna win

 

 

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I'm for a game 1 victory for the boys from NY.

[Sod16]

Good road first period for piles. Two terrible powerplays, but carried the second half. Vaz is no Rask or Jarry.

[Keirik]

Islanders are going to win the cup. It sucks

[BrooksBurner]

Tampa in 4

 

Jk

[Bugg]

One stupid cross ice pass, one soft long goal...They take advantage of mistakes.

[-ERIK-]

Hate to say it, i think the isles are winning this series

[Pete]

Doubt it. Even game all around.

 

The difference was goaltending. Varly had the game of his life and Vasil let in a bad one. Neither of those occurrences is likely to happen through the series.

[Karan]

Yea, far too close to call a winner after just one game.

[Phil]

 

 

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[Costa]

Isles is going to win it all because it's "best for bidness".