New York Islanders

Islanders Game 57 Preview vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Lines, Notes & How To Watch

Published

2 months ago

February 24, 2024

The New York Islanders (23-19-14) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (30-23-5) this afternoon at UBS Arena in an all-important matchup that will have big implications on both team’s playoff chances. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Power Play Slowing Down In Middle Of Playoff Race:

The Islanders’ issues on the penalty kill have been well-documented. But lately, their power play has started to break down as well.

Sputtering Power Play Is Slowing Down Islanders In Playoff Race

Projected Lineup:

Lee-Horvat-Barzal

Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri

Holmstrom-Pageau-Wahlstrom

Martin-Cizikas/MacLean-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson

Pelech-Pulock

Reilly-Mayfield

Sorokin

Varlamov

Last Time Out:

Typically, hockey games last 60 minutes. But on Thursday, the game between the Islanders and St. Louis Blues was decided in all of just 32 seconds. With a goal from Brandon Saad and two more from Pavel Buchnevich, the Blues struck for the three fastest goals in franchise history, which were also the three fastest goals ever allowed by the Islanders.

Behind a 38-save shutout performance from Jordan Binnington, the Blues cruised to a 4-0 win at Enterprise Center, taking two points that the Islanders desperately needed.

The Opponent:

With 65 points, the Tampa Bay Lightning sit five ahead of the Islanders and occupy the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Islanders defeated the Lightning 6-2 back on Feb. 8, during a game in which six different Islanders picked up a goal. However. that came while Jonas Johannson was in net for Tampa. This afternoon, the Islanders will likely face former Vezina Trophy winner Andrei Vasilevskiy.

In 33 games, Vasilevskiy is 19-14-0 with a 2.98 GAA and a .896 save percentage. He was in goal for Tampa in their last game, a 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

On the injury front, the status of both Erik Cernak and Haydn Fleury is up in the air ahead of today’s game. Cernak missed Tampa’s last game with an illness, while Fleury exited early with an undisclosed injury.

As for those who are expected to play, Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov remains the league leader in points with 95.

Tampa is the owner of the NHL’s best power play (29.7%) and the 13th-ranked penalty kill (80.5%)

The Lightning are currently riding a three-game losing streak and are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games.

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Lightning from UBS Arena is scheduled for just past 2 p.m. EST. The game is available to watch on MSGSN2 or streamed on MSG Plus or ESPN Plus for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 1050 AM ESPN or 103.9 FM WRCN.