Despite being one of the NHL's most fearsome juggernauts of the past several years, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been to only one Stanley Cup Final in the past 10 (2015). They're hoping the tweaks made after last year's debacle against the Columbus Blue Jackets can push them over the top. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders have taken steps forward in the second campaign under Barry Trotz, and while maintaining their stout defensive structure, they have amped up the scoring.
The Isles won 2 of 3 regular-season contests between the teams, outscoring the Lightning 11-4 in the aggregate.