The Islanders surprised many when they returned to action Monday night and beat the league’s most valuable team in the Maple Leafs. They played a great defensive game and held a normally deadly Leafs offense that averages 3.54 goals per home game to just two goals. 

Tampa Bay was rolling with three straight wins before having their momentum snuffed out with a 3-1 loss to the Rangers last night. They now come into their second leg of a back-to-back against a well-rested Islanders team that has had three days of rest. 

It should be an exciting matchup with the Islanders looking to crawl their way back into the playoff picture and the Lightning look to fend them off as they hold the top Wild Card spot. If you want to watch this one and enhance your viewing experience, here is our best bet for tonight’s matchup.

All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

Pick: Islanders score first + win (+140)

Before their loss on Wednesday, the Lightning had won eight of their last nine games and with the fatigue of playing the very next day coupled with the devastating injury to defenseman Mikhail Sergachev makes the case for Tampa Bay to come out of the gates on the road hot seems unlikely. The Islanders have been playing with much more intensity and tenacity since hiring new bench boss Patrick Roy and should outplay them. 

They will have an uphill battle as they have one win in their last seven matchups against the Bolts and will need to put the pressure on expected starter Jonas Johansson, who hasn’t started a game in nearly three weeks and could be ice cold. New York has also scored first in 14 of their 25 home games this season and with Johansson averaging 3.71 goals-against in his last 14 games, they should have a great chance to get out early and hold the lead throughout.