NHL Thursday (10/17) night Single

Game 6 in the one remaining semifinal of the Stanley Cup playoff – Tamba Bay Lightning are up 3-2 in the series against New York Islanders and my prediction is that the Lightning will qualify for the final tonight. The Islanders won 2-1 on Tuesday but in that game and the overall five games, the Lightning have been the more dominant team.

08.00 PM ET, Thursday, September 17

New York Islanders avoided elimination by defeating the Lightning 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Final. Jordan Eberle scored the winning goal in the second overtime period to make it 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Semyon Varlamov made 36 saves and conceded only one goal at the same time as the Islanders only managed to shoot 24 shots on goal within almost 5 periods.

Tampa Bay Lightning is one win from being qualified for the Stanley Cup Final but they were not able to find a way to end this series on Tuesday. However, they are still up 3-2 as game 6 awaits and their performance in game 5 was solid despite the fact that they only scored once.

Conclusions and betting play: This is a tight and extremely thrilling series between two hard-working and highly skilled hockey teams. Tamba Bay Lightning are the favorites but the New York Islanders always seem to come back no matter what. Tamba Bay won the first game 8-2 and the second game 2-1 and most people probably thought this series was over but the Islanders responded by winning game 3.

The Lightning won game 4 and had the chance to qualify for the Stanley Cup Final in game 5 but once again the Islanders bounced back by winning 2-1.

Although, if looking at the overall perspective to this series the Lightning have been the slightly better team. They also dominated most parts of the game on Tuesday. The Islanders’ 24 shots on goal are very few in a game that lasts for almost five periods and my prediction is that they will have to do better to survive.

The Lighting are missing Brayden Point and he will probably be out also in game 6. But still, they have proven to be the slightly more dominant team in this series and, most likely, they will secure their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final against Dallas Stars tonight.

Betting Pick: Tamba Bay Lightning to win (Regular Time Line) @ +100