T.M. Selection: Islanders PUCK LINE (8* MONEY-MAKER).

Tampa looked great in Game 1, winning 8-2. The Lightning though didn't look as good in Game 2, with New York taking an early 1-0 lead, before then once again falling apart down the stretch and allowing the Bolts to score the regulation winner with only a few ticks left on the clock. It was a crushing defeat for the Islanders, but most importantly I think its effort in Game 2 give us the blue-print on what to expect in Game 3 as well. This is the Islanders most important game of the entire season and I look for this team to fight until the death. Note that New York is 7-2 in its last 9 after back-to-back defeats as well. Of course I believe the outright is possible (I don't think the Isles get swept in this series and I expect their best "shot" tonight), I'm going to lay the price and grab the 1.5 goals on the puck line!

T.M. Prediction: 4-2 Islanders.