N.Y. Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The New York Islanders face the Carolina Hurricanes in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Islanders are one of the wild card teams in the Eastern Conference and clinched their playoff spot in the final game of the season with a 42-31-9 record. The Hurricanes won the Metropolitan Division title with a 52-21-9 record and looking to have a deep playoff run after losing in the Second Round in each of the last two years. Both teams are looking to start this series out with a win and Game One looks to be a great one as a result.
Islanders hope their offense steps up in Game One
The Islanders put together a great season but they'll need their offense to improve if they hope to win this series as they averaged only 2.95 goals per game. Brock Nelson and Anders Lee scored 64 goals and 61 assists but the rest of the offense struggled. The hope is that Mathew Barzal can add a spark to the offense as he scored 14 goals and 37 assists but missed the second half of the regular season with an injury and is back in the lineup.
The offense has struggled but the defense carried the Islanders throughout the season, allowing only 2.65 goals per game. Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield combined for 9.1 defensive point shares and 296 blocked shots while Adam Pelech, Noah Dobson, and Sebastian Aho combined for 11.3 defensive point shares, adding depth to the unit. Moreover, goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been remarkable with a .924 save percentage and a 2.34 goals-against average on 1838 shots with 36.0 goals saved above average.
Hurricanes defense is one of the best in the league
The Hurricanes had an incredible season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.20 goals per game. Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi have scored 82 goals and 99 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Teuvo Teravainen, Seth Jarvis, and Stefan Noesen have combined for 39 goals and 73 assists while Brent Burns and Brady Skjei have added 36 goals and 63 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has led the Hurricanes, allowing only 2.56 goals per game including only five goals in the last two games to clinch the division. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have combined for 11.5 defensive point shares and 189 blocked shots while Brett Pesce, Jalen Chatfield, and Brady Skjei have combined for 14.5 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that goaltender Frederik Andersen can step up as he has struggled with a .903 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average on 849 shots with -0.7 goals saved above average.
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This is going to be a great game between two teams eager to start the series off with a win. The Islanders look to pull off the upset but the Hurricanes who have been the better team all year and won the season series 3-1 look to control this game on both ends of the ice. The Hurricanes, who average 3.20 goals per game, should constantly find the back of the net with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick cross-ice passes and effective puck movement. The Hurricanes, who allow only 2.56 goals per game, should 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 Frederik Andersen to make plenty of easy saves. The Hurricanes should win Game One with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Hurricanes money line as home Favorites.
Prediction: Hurricanes (-160)
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Both teams are led by remarkable defenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both defensive units stepping up and controlling this game from the opening puck drop. The Islanders, who allow only 2.65 goals per game, should limit the Hurricanes' offense with Ryan Pulock, Scott Mayfield, 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 allowed only five goals in their final two regular season games, should eliminate and potentially shut out the Islanders' offense, which averages only 2.95 goals per game, with Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin, Brady Skjei, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender Frederik Andersen steps up and blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game controlled by both defenses.
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.
