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Islanders vs. Lightening

Tampa Bay Lightning vs NY Islanders- It’s a New Year!

| Sande Caplin |

It’s the season!  The Stanley Cup is up for grabs with the semi-finals starting on Sunday, June 13 in Tampa.  It’s the Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Islanders.  Yes, the same 2 teams that met last year in the semi-finals.  It was a super exciting series with the Lightning prevailing in 6 games.

This year’s series will be different.  Last year the Islanders came off a very difficult series against the Philadelphia Flyers and were exhausted coming into the series with the Lightning.  This year, the Islanders will be rested having disposed of the mighty Boston Bruins in 6 games.  The Lightning beat the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes to reach the semi-finals.

Lightning fans are some of the best in the world.  Amalie Arena is  an awesome place to watch hockey and the place will be exploding with avid fans for the first 2 games of the series.  Back on Long Island, it’s the same.  The Islanders have one of the best fan bases in all of hockey.  And “the old barn,” the Nassau Coliseum will be hosting its final games this year.  Next year, the Islanders are moving into a brand-new arena next to Belmont Racetrack on Long Island.  There is so much history in the old building.  I had the thrill of watching the Islanders win 2 Stanley Cups there….. a long time ago.

My pick, my thoughts?  This is going to be a grueling and exciting series.  It’s a new year and the Islanders learned a lot from last year’s exit.  It’s going to be a  six-game series with the Islanders prevailing at home in the old barn!

Now, I know the folks here in Tampa won’t agree with me so how about a little bet!  How about 10 little bets!  The first 10 people to leave their name in the comments below, here is the deal.  If the Lightning win the series, I will buy you a “Long Island Iced Tea” at Slickers Eatery in Cortez, FL!  If the Islanders win, you have to buy me “Bourbon” (good Bourbon) on the rocks!  Basil Haydn or Angels Envy will be just fine.  So, any takers?

Best of luck to both the Lightning and the Islanders and their fans.  It’s going to be a phenomenal series.

More about the game:  HERE

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