Islanders vs Lightning Prediction & Odds - 4/1/2025

The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning roll into UBS Arena Tuesday night carrying the league's second-best offense (3.59 goals per game) and the momentum of three straight victories, while the Islanders find themselves in a five-game tailspin that's threatening to sink their playoff hopes.

Tampa's dynamic duo of Kucherov and Hagel (190 combined points) face a typically stingy but recently leaky Islanders defense that's surrendered 24 goals during their current losing streak.

The star-studded Lightning squad will look to extend their Atlantic Division dominance when the struggling New York Islanders host the surging Tampa Bay Lightning in what could be a season-defining matchup for both clubs.

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New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning preview

The red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning bring their three-game winning streak and explosive offense (3.59 goals per game) to UBS Arena Tuesday night where they'll face a struggling Islanders squad that's dropped five straight contests.

Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel have been lighting up the scoreboard for Tampa, combining for a ridiculous 66 goals and 124 assists this season, while goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been a brick wall with a sparkling .921 save percentage.

The Islanders' playoff hopes have all but evaporated during their recent slide, with a defensive collapse that's seen them surrender 24 goals in their last five games despite Ilya Sorokin's best efforts between the pipes.

Bo Horvat and Anders Lee remain the lone bright spots in New York's anemic offense that's managed just 2.74 goals per game, putting enormous pressure on a defense that simply hasn't delivered lately.

These teams met recently with Tampa securing a 5-3 victory, suggesting the Lightning's high-powered attack could feast against an Islanders team that's looked completely lost in its own end.

While the Isles might find occasional success against Tampa's defense (allowing 2.64 goals per game), expect Victor Hedman to continue orchestrating the Lightning offense from the blue line while shutting things down defensively.

Don't be shocked if this turns into a high-scoring affair with both teams finding the net multiple times, though Tampa clearly has the edge given their current form and firepower.

Looking at the bigger picture, this matchup perfectly illustrates two teams heading in opposite directions - Tampa Bay solidifying their playoff position while the Islanders play out what's become a forgettable season.