The NHL playoffs get underway this afternoon with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the New York Islanders. NHL odds have Carolina as a large -222 favorite while the total sits at 5.5.
Find out which side I’m on in my free NHL picks and Islanders vs. Hurricanes predictions for April 20.
Islanders vs Hurricanes prediction
My best bet
Hurricanes -1.5 (+126 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
Goaltender Frederik Andersen is slated to guard the cage for the Carolina Hurricanes in Saturday’s Game 1, and he should be a great candidate to back. Andersen has been sensational since returning from injury in March, allowing two or fewer goals in each of his 10 starts.
He is 9-1 over that stretch with a commanding .951 SV% and 1.30 GAA. Seven of those nine wins came by at least a two-goal margin.
That success is likely to continue against the New York Islanders, a team Andersen is 9-3 against over their past 12 meetings with a .924 SV% and 2.23 GAA. It certainly helps Andersen’s cause that he plays behind one of the best defensive teams in hockey.
Preventing high-danger scoring chances at an elite rate this season, the Canes finished first in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). With this combination of elite defensive play and goaltending, it is not shocking that they rank in the Top 5 of the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, and penalty-kill percentage.
By comparison, the Islanders rank in the bottom half of the league in all three of those categories. Not only do the Hurricanes possess the advantage defensively, but they are also the stronger group offensively.
This season, Carolina ranks higher than New York in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power-play percentage, and shooting percentage. The Canes are stronger offensively, defensively, in net, on special teams, in the faceoff circle, and behind the bench.
Add home-ice advantage, and there is little reason to believe the Canes can’t win by at least two goals.
Islanders vs Hurricanes same-game parlay (SGP)
Hurricanes -1.5
Seth Jarvis anytime goal
If we are backing Carolina to win by two or more goals, then we obviously need some pucks to find the back of the net. A good option to back in that department is forward Seth Jarvis, who finished second on the team with 33 goals.
Not only is Jarvis a threat to score at even strength, but he also leads the team in power-play goals. I mention this because New York finished last in penalty-kill percentage.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Islanders vs Hurricanes odds
Islanders vs Hurricanes live odds
Islanders vs Hurricanes opening odds
- Puck line: New York +1.5 | Carolina -1.5
- Moneyline: New York +182 | Carolina -210
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Islanders vs Hurricanes moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- Carolina opened as a large as a -222 favorite and remains near that price as of Friday afternoon. I don’t anticipate the market moving that line even further just because of the big price tag in a playoff game, but I also highly doubt much respected action is going to come in on New York in a matchup where it doesn’t possess a single advantage.
- The total opened at 5.5 and the juice is to the Under, but it is very unlikely oddsmakers would be willing to take it down to 5.
- The Over is 6-3-1 across the past 10 meetings between these two teams.
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Islanders vs Hurricanes trend
Carolina is 9-1 over Andersen’s past 10 starts, with seven of those nine wins coming by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Hurricanes.
Islanders vs Hurricanes game info
| Location: | PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC |
| Date: | Saturday, 4-20-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 5:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBS, truTV |
Islanders vs Hurricanes latest injuries
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