The New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes meet Saturday in Game 1 East NHL Playoffs action at the PNC Arena. Here’s a Islanders vs Hurricanes prediction.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders recently beat the Canadiens, Devils and Penguins while losing to the Rangers. The New York Islanders are averaging 2.99 goals per game and are scoring on 20.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Brock Nelson leads New York with 34 goals, Noah Dobson has 60 assists and Bo Horvat has 248 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 71.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Sorokin has given up 167 goals on 1,821 shots faced, and Semyon Varlamov has allowed 69 goals on 837 shots.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The Carolina Hurricanes recently beat the Bruins, Blues, and Blackhawks while losing to the Blue Jackets. The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.38 goals per game and are scoring on 26.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Sebastian Aho leads Carolina with 36 goals, Seth Jarvis has 34 assists and Martin Necas has 231 shots on goal. Defensively, the Carolina Hurricanes are allowing 2.57 goals per game and are killing 86.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Pyotr Kochetkov has given up 92 goals on 1,031 shots faced, while Antti Raanta has allowed 63 goals on 493 shots.
Carolina Hurricanes Team Facts
- The road team has won each of the last seven games between the Islanders and Hurricanes.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the last eight games between the Islanders and Hurricanes at PNC Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Hurricanes’ last six games following a road loss.
- The Hurricanes have won the third period in five of their last six games against the Islanders.
New York Islanders Team Facts
- The Islanders have won each of their last eight night games.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last 10 games as underdogs following a home win.
- The Islanders have won the third period in each of their last four night games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 16 of the Islanders’ last 17 games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Islanders vs Hurricanes prediction
The Hurricanes are the better team and should be favored at home, where they’re 27-10-4 on the season. However, the Islanders are playing their best hockey of the season, where they’re 8-2 in their last 10 games and have been in playoff type games just to reach the postseason. The Islanders defense has tightened up, and that includes allowing 2 or fewer goals in 6 of their last 8 games. Also, the Islanders have won 4 of the last 8 games against the Canes, cashing in the big underdog role in 3 of those wins. The Islanders enter the postseason hot and playing with house money, making them dangerous. I’ll take a shot to make nearly two times my money.