The 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing! With just the one game on the agenda today we have had plenty of time to research the fixture in depth and bring you the absolute best predictions. Have a read below for all our NHL picks.
New York Islanders @ Tampa Bay Lightning (Semi Final – Game 7) – 8.00 PM EDT
With their postseason on the line the Islanders rallied at the Nassau Coliseum on Wednesday, coming back from a 2 goal deficit with less than half the game to play to send this epic series to game 7 in Tampa.
After being on the unfortunate end of the playoffs biggest scoreline on Monday, Barry Trotz’s Islanders had their work cut out for them against this finely tuned Lightning machine. Their prospects didn’t look great when the ridiculously in form Brayden Point scored his 9th consecutive goal at the back end of the first term.
Their situation went from bad to worse when Point returned the favour for Anthony Cirelli, who assisted with the opener, by teeing him up with a second goal for the Lightning.
However, the lead didn’t last long, with Jordan Eberle reducing the deficit just 2 minutes later, and Scott Mayfield tying it up at the midway point of the final term, sending the game to the first overtime of the series.
After three periods of tight scoring opportunities, it took just over a minute for the decisive goal to be scored, when Anthony Beauvillier stole the puck and took it up the other end to bury the game winner.
Gave ourselves a chance.
Game 7 tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/N5kprGV0iu
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 25, 2021
It was a monumental win for the Islanders, who may have played their final game at the Coliseum. The job gets much more difficult now as they head back to Tampa Bay for game 7, where they were painfully dismantled 8-0 in game 5.
However, the Islanders could receive a huge boost after Lightning star man, Nikita Kucherov, was forced to exit the game in the first term with an injury, leaving his availability in jeopardy ahead of the biggest game of the season.
This has been a tricky fixture to call so far, the loss of Kucherov could prove devastating for the Lightning, however they hold the home advantage and last beat the Islanders 8-0 in Tampa. The pressure got to the Lightning against the composed Islanders in game 6, but with both sides now playing to win the series the stakes are level, and we have to think the reigning champs will get the job done.
NHL Pick – Tampa Bay Lightning (-174)
Spread Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
Total Goals Pick – Unlock Premium Picks
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
