New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 4: Predictions, Odds and How to Watch

Where: PNC Center – Raleigh, NC.

When: Friday, May 3, 7PM EST

How (TV/Radio): NBCSN, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA | WFAN

New York Islanders (Away)

Head Coach: Barry Trotz {All-Time 810-595-60-141 NYI, WSH, NSH}

After sweeping the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in round one, the New York Islanders now themselves on the brink of being swept themselves as they head into game four down three games to none. The Isles’ have not come back from a 3-0 deficit since 1975.

New York struggled in the faceoff circle during game three which really affected their time of possession. The Islanders went only 41.4 percent in faceoffs and that played a key factor in them being outshot by the Canes 38-30 and allowing two empty net goals despite having the man advantage.

On a bright note, the Islanders did manage another power play goal in game three. The Islanders finished their regular season struggling to get power play action and they seem to have been coming around. Devon Toews had the power play goal in the first period of game three.

Goaltender Robin Lehner did not play his best game in game three, allowing three goals on 36 shots and having one game-changing turnover in the defensive end. He will look to bounce back from this performance in game four. Throughout his seven playoff games, Lehner has a goals against average of 1.69 and a .946 save percentage.

Carolina Hurricanes (Home)

Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour {All-Time 46-29-7 CAR}

Although the starting goalie will be a game time decision, the Hurricanes still come into this game four with the majority of advantages. The biggest of which is their home-ice advantage. In the 2019 playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes are 4-0 at home through the first two rounds.

Carolina played with fire in game three. On top of the home-ice advantage, the Canes won 58.6 percent of the faceoffs against their opponents. They out shot the Islanders, kept toe-to-toe in the hits department, and had their goaltender come up big all game. It should be noted that teams heading into game four up 3-0 are 188-4 when it comes to winning the series.

After suffering a lower-body injury in game two, goalie Petr Mrazek sat out game three, making way for Curtis McElhinney to become the oldest goalie in NHL history to make his first playoff start. He made 28 saves. At the time of writing, Petr Mrazek is still listed as day-to-day and it is uncertain who will get the start for Carolina in game four. It will be a game time decision. Over ten game, Mrazek has a 2.22 GAA and a .9113 SV percentage. McElhinney, over the last two games, has a 1.28 GAA and .957 SV percentage.

Series recap (Carolina leads series 3-0) Game one: 1-0 Carolina (OT), Game two: 2-1 Carolina, Game three: 5-3 Carolina

Playoff Performers

Leading the way in scoring for the New York Islanders, just breaking the top-25, is still forward Jordan Eberle. Across seven game splayed, Eberle has registered four goals and four assists. He has 20 shots on goal, giving him a shooting percentage of 20. Eberle also has three power play points and one game-winning goal.

Moving into the top-5 in playoff scoring, Jaccob Slavin continues to lead the way for the Carolina Hurricanes. Across ten games, Slavin has 12 helpers and is plus-8 through the first two rounds. He has two power play points and one short handed point. He has 19 shots and a points-per-game average of 1.20.

Questions to answer

Can the New York Islanders avoid becoming the fourth team in NHL history to sweep a first-round series and then get swept themselves in the second round?

Should McElhinney find himself in net once again for the Hurricanes, can he replicate his game three performance?

Can the New York Islanders improve on the faceoff wins, shots on goal ,and overall puck possession in time for game four?

New York Islanders Injury Report

D Johnny Boychuk – day-to-day (leg)

F Tanner Fritz – IR (hand)

F Andrew Ladd – day-to-day (torn ACL)

Carolina Hurricanes Injury Report

F Saku Maenalanen – IR (hand)

G Petr Mrazek – day-to-day (lower-body)

D Trevor van Riemsdyk – day-to-day (shoulder)

F Micheal Ferlan – day-to-day (upper-body)

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes Odds

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