Stanley Cup Semi-Final Game 1- NY Islanders at Tampa Bay

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay -200

Today is Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. This is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final of last year in the Edmonton Bubble. The Islanders were the 4th seed in the East Division in the playoffs beating the 1 seed Penguins and 3 seed Bruins to earn their way into the Final Four (which we better not keep calling this next year). The Lightning was the 3 seed in the Central after a rough end to the regular season but regained their form from the 2020 playoffs and Nikita Kucherov beating the 2 seed Florida Panthers and 1 seed Carolina Hurricanes. Both these teams have been rounding into top form during the first and second-round series'. Now we have contrasting styles facing off once again and they might be more prepared than last year. Although the Lightning is the favourites in this game and series, I'm going with the Islanders to catch Tampa off guard and win game 1. This series has star power all over the place and we should expect entertaining hockey even if it's not always high scoring. If Tampa scores first we can expect some fireworks offensively.

Record: 37-29