Carolina Hurricanes vs. N.Y. Islanders Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Carolina Hurricanes face the New York Islanders in Game Three in what has been a one-sided series thus far. The Hurricanes won Game One 2-1 and then took the second game in overtime to take a comfortable 2-0 series lead. The Islanders have been competitive in the first two games but trail by two games in the series and need to win on their home ice to have any chance in the series. The Hurricanes look to take a commanding series lead while the Islanders hope to bounce back at home and the upcoming game should be a great one.
Hurricanes have been led by remarkable defense in First Round
The Hurricanes won the first two games of this series with their offense stepping up and scoring six goals in the two games including four goals in the Game Two win. Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Stefan Noesen have scored three goals and three assists to lead the top two lines but the entire offense has stepped up. Jesper Fast, Seth Jarvis, and Paul Stastny have combined for two goals and assists while defensemen Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have added a goal and five assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense, which allowed only 2.56 goals per game this season, has carried the Hurricanes in the First Round, allowing only four goals in the series. Burns and Slavin have led the top pairing but the entire unit has stepped up with Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Shayne Gostisbehere creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net. Additionally, goaltender Antti Raanta has stepped up this series, saving 48 of the 52 shots he's faced.
Islanders hope offense can step up in Game Three
The Islanders have their back against the wall in this series with their offense letting them down, scoring only four goals in the first two games including only one goal in Game One. Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Mathew Barzal have combined for three goals and two assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. The hope is that Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau can step up as they combined for 41 goals and 49 assists this season but have yet to register a point in the First Round.
The offense has struggled but the defense also unraveled in Game Two, allowing four goals including the overtime goal to cost them the game. Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech have stepped up on the top two pairings but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing the Hurricanes to control the puck in the offensive zone and find open shots. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Ilya Sorokin who has saved 67 of the 73 shots in this series to keep the Islanders competitive in the first two games.
Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Islanders are desperate to come back in this series but the Hurricanes have had their number and I see them once again stepping up and controlling Game Three. The Hurricanes look to build off a four-goal game and constantly find the back of the net with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes while defensemen Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin generate shots on the net from the blue line. The Hurricanes, who allowed only 2.56 goals per game this year, should continue to limit the Islanders' offense with Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shooting lanes, allowing goaltender Antti Raanta to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes should win Game Three to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
Take the Hurricanes money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Hurricanes (-110)
While most bettors have already signed up with the DraftKings and FanDuels of the world, sportsbooks like BetFred and SuperBook are offering HUGE bonus offers to attract new bettors in select states. Search your state now.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Game Two was a high-scoring one but both teams are led by their defenses and I see this game being a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Islanders, look to rebound after allowing four goals in Game Two and limit the Hurricanes' offense with Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Ilya Sorokin to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes, who have only allowed four goals in the first two games, should eliminate the Islanders' offense with Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin, Brady Skjei, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while Antti Raanta steps up and makes plenty of big saves. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 5.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 5.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
