New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes: the Hurricanes Had One of the Best Regular Seasons

• The New York Islanders have lost three of their last four games.

• The Carolina Hurricanes have lost two of their last three games.

• The Hurricanes were 2-1-0 against the Islanders last season.

New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Odds

Odds Taken from DraftKings Sportsbook.

New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Predictions and Picks

Carolina Hurricanes beat New York Islanders 3-2

New York Islanders cover

Under 5.5 goals

Head-to-Head: New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes

New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Predictions and Picks

The New York Islanders will travel south to face the Carolina Hurricanes in this divisional battle.

The Islanders finished outside of the Playoff picture, while the Hurricanes had one of the best regular seasons and finished atop their division.

The Islanders may be 3-4-0, but their defense and goaltending have been excellent. They are only giving up 2.57 goals per game and making it very difficult for opposing teams to score.

The Islanders have a few standouts in centers Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson, as well as winger Anders Lee and defenseman Ryan Pulock. Mathew Barzal is yet to score a goal but has seven assists in seven games. He is due for his first goal very soon. Brock Nelson is also yet to score a goal, but he has six assists. I would also bet on Nelson scoring his first goal quite soon. Anders Lee has had a little more scoring success than Barzal and Nelson and has managed to score four goals on 21 shots. In addition, Lee is a menacing figure, coming in at 6’3” and 235 lbs. Ryan Pulock is probably the most underrated of these players. The 2014 First-Round pick only has one goal and two assists, but he leads the Islanders in +/- at five.

If the Islanders have any chance to make a playoff run, it will be because of their goaltending. New York has arguably one of the best netminders in the league in Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has a .931 save percentage and is only giving up 2.26 goals per game. If Sorokin gets injured, the Islanders can also depend on Semyon Varlamov. Varlamov has a .917 save percentage and has only given up five goals in two games.

The Hurricanes have an excellent roster and are led by Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov. Sebastian Aho is one of the best players in the NHL and is off to another hot start. The Finnish center has nine points (four goals, five assists) in six games and is a very efficient shooter. Andrei Svechnikov is only 22 years old, but he may already be a star. The 2018 second-overall pick has seven goals and is scoring on over 30% of his shots.

The Hurricanes have outstanding goaltenders in Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. Andersen is the main netminder, but Raanta has been better at times. This goaltending duo is only giving up 2.33 goals per game and has a combined save percentage of .916. They were the x-factors for Carolina last season and will continue to be this season.

The Hurricanes are playing at home and have many more offensive weapons, so I would bet on them to win this game.

Why Might the New York Islanders Win?

The Islanders are not expected to win but can if they slow down Andrei Svechnikov and give the puck to Anders Lee.

Andrei Svechnikov may be the most efficient scorer in the NHL right now. The Russian winger has seven goals on 23 shots. Svechnikov has to be the priority #1 for the Islanders’ defenseman. If the Islanders slow down Svechnikov, they will slow down the whole Carolina team.

Anders Lee is the most well-rounded player on this Islanders squad. He can score and set up his teammates. The Islanders need to give Lee the puck and let him shoot or set up his teammates.

Why Might the Carolina Hurricanes Win?

The Hurricanes have home-ice advantage and are projected to win but will only do so if they get power-plays and limit the Islanders’ shots. 

The Hurricanes have five power-play goals and convert over 20% of their opportunities with a man advantage. Their power-play unit is efficient and often the difference between a win and a loss. Carolina has to get this unit on the ice as much as possible.

The Islanders average 32 shots a game. The Hurricane defenseman has to limit their shot output to below 30 in order to limit their scoring.

Islanders Key Players: (C)  Mathew Barzal

Mathew Barzal has seven assists but also has a +/- of -3. The 25-year-old is a talented player but does not always have a positive influence on the ice.

Barzal has to improve his overall performance in this game. He is a gifted passer but also needs to play smarter hockey. Barzal will be one of the Islanders’ x-factors.

Hurricanes Key Player: (RW) Teuvo Teravainen

Teuvo Teravainen had 65 points in 77 games last season. However, he only has three points in six games this year. The winger is off to a slow start but needs to heat up. If he returns to form today, he will be their x-factor. Watch out for the 28-year-old to have a big game.

How to Watch New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes