Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Islanders Aim for Seventh Straight Win Against Struggling Lightning

The red-hot New York Islanders look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night. The Islanders, the NHL’s most in-form team, have climbed rapidly in the Eastern Conference standings and are now within striking distance of a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Lightning are searching for consistency after a rough January.

Islanders’ Incredible Surge Up the Standings

The Islanders own the longest active winning streak in the NHL and have surged past multiple teams, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Rangers. After finishing January with a 9-3-0 record, they now sit just four points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final wild-card position.

Their latest triumph came in a 3-0 shutout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, with goaltender Ilya Sorokin stopping all 23 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season.

Key Performers Driving the Streak

• Ilya Sorokin (G): Third shutout of the season, playing at an elite level.
• Kyle Palmieri (RW): Snapped a 15-game goal drought with a crucial tally against Philadelphia.
• Marc Gatcomb (F): The newcomer scored his first career NHL goal in just his seventh game.

The team’s locker room is buzzing with confidence, as Palmieri highlighted:

“We’ve got a good thing going in the room right now. Guys are believing in each other, and we’ll try to keep this thing going.”

Lightning Look to Rebound After Inconsistent January

While the Islanders are soaring, the Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled for momentum. They ended January with a 7-8-1 record, marking their second subpar month this season after going 5-6-2 in November.

However, the Lightning showed signs of life with a 3-0 shutout win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. Andrei Vasilevskiy was dominant, securing his third shutout of the season and the 37th of his career.

“The lesson is you can still defend your way to winning,” said head coach Jon Cooper, emphasizing the importance of strong defensive play.

Lightning’s Key Players to Watch

• Andrei Vasilevskiy (G): Back in form after missing time due to illness.
• Nikita Kucherov (RW): Now at 75 points for the season, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon (78) and Leon Draisaitl (76).
• Brayden Point (C): A crucial playmaker who needs to step up.

Tampa Bay also made a roster move on Friday, calling up Matt Tomkins to replace backup goalie Jonas Johansson (lower body injury), who had a 6-5-1 record with a 3.24 GAA before getting sidelined.

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Matchup Breakdown & What to Expect

Keys to the Game

✔ Islanders: Continue their structured defensive play and ride Sorokin’s hot streak.
✔ Lightning: Establish early offensive pressure and limit defensive lapses.
✔ Special Teams: The Lightning have a deadly power play (26.3%), so the Islanders must stay disciplined.

Final Thoughts & Prediction

The Islanders enter this game with confidence and momentum, while the Lightning are still searching for consistency. With both teams coming off shutout wins, expect a tight, defensively sound battle. If Sorokin continues his elite form, the Islanders have a strong chance to secure their seventh straight win.

Predicted Score: Islanders 3, Lightning 2 (OT)

The Islanders’ defensive structure and Sorokin’s goaltending could be the difference in another closely contested matchup. However, if Kucherov and Vasilevskiy deliver standout performances, the Lightning could turn the tide at home.

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What’s Next?

• Islanders: Travel to Florida for a Sunday matchup against the Panthers.
• Lightning: Begin a crucial two-game set against the Ottawa Senators, a team ahead of them in the Atlantic Division race.

The stakes are high for both teams, making this a must-watch game for NHL fans.