The New York Islanders look to fend off elimination at PNC Arena in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semis. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, May 3, and fans at home are able to catch this divisional matchup live on NBC Sports Network.
New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes Odds
New York (+125) is currently the underdog to Carolina (-145), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 5 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
The Hurricanes are 53-39 straight up (SU) and have earned 2.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (36-46). Of its 92 games this season, 40 have gone under the total, while 40 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 28-17 SU at home this year.
Carolina’s offense attempted 34.2 shots per game in the regular season, resulting in 3.0 goals per outing (ranked 15th overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the team is managing an average of 32.2 shots on goal 2.9 goals per game.
After sporting the 20th-ranked power-play unit in the regular season (scoring on 16.7 percent of all chances), the Hurricanes have connected on 8.8 percent of their extra-man advantages in the postseason. Their penalty kill has gone from 80.9 percent in the regular season to 75.8 percent in the playoffs.
Averaging 24.9 saves per game with a .914 save percentage, Petr Mrazek (29-20-4) has been the top option in goal for the Hurricanes this year. If they choose to rest him, however, head coach Rod Brind Amour may turn to Curtis McElhinney (22-13-13 record, .914 save percentage, 2.52 goals against average).
Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen will each lead the offensive attack for the Hurricanes. Aho (90 points) has produced 33 goals and 57 assists and has recorded two or more points on 20 different occasions this year. Teravainen has 26 goals and 57 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 49 contests.
New York has netted 19.1 units for moneyline bettors this season and is currently 52-37 straight up (SU). A total of 55 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just five have pushed. As the visiting team, New York is 26-18 SU.
New York has converted on just 14.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s players have been called for penalties only 3.3 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five games total, and 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (27.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for New York. Lehner has 30 wins, 23 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .932 save percentage and 2.07 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Islanders, the offense will run through Mathew Barzal (19 goals, 49 assists) and Josh Bailey (20 goals, 42 assists).
New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five matchups.
- The Hurricanes have averaged the league’s most shots on goal (34.2) while the Islanders have attempted just the 29th-most (34.2).
- Carolina has allowed 2.7 goals per game overall this year, but has allowed just 1.0 per contest on its three-game win streak.
- Over New York’s last ten games, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. New York skaters have given out the eighth-most hits in the league (26.1 per game) and the Canes have recorded the seventh-most (26.6).
