Hurricanes vs. Islanders Game 1 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
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Andrew Rogers
Many suspected that this Eastern Conference semifinal matchup would feature noted rivals Washington and Pittsburgh – but the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders had other intentions as they prepare to face off in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series Friday night at Barclays Center. The Islanders posted an impressive four-game sweep of the Penguins, while the Hurricanes knocked off the defending champions with a Game 7 overtime road win.
Hurricanes vs. Islanders Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
Don’t be so quick to put your money on the favourite here, despite how easy the Islanders made it look against the high-powered Penguins. The underdog has won five consecutive games in the head-to-head series between Carolina and New York, while the road team has prevailed outright in nine of the past 12 meetings. That said, the Hurricanes have just one win in their previous seven games as a road underdog.
The total for this one is 5.5, no doubt inspired by the Islanders’ surprisingly effective defence and goaltending this past season. But while New York has indeed been a strong under option – going 6-2 to the under in its past eight home games and 11-2 in its past 13 at Barclays Center vs. teams with winning road records – Carolina has posted five consecutive overs on the road. These teams have also gone 5-1 O/U in their last six meetings in New York.
Carolina Hurricanes
What made the Hurricanes dangerous against the Capitals was the same thing that led the 2006 Stanley Cup champions to a surprisingly successful 99-point season: balanced scoring. Four players had three or more goals for Carolina, led by Warren Foegele’s four tallies; three others scored twice. We like Foegele as a lottery-ticket play on the player goal prop (+400); the 2014 third-round pick has six goals over his previous nine games overall.
New York Islanders
While the Hurricanes spread the scoring around in their thrilling triumph over the Capitals, the Islanders…didn’t. They relied heavily on the red-hot trio of Jordan Eberle, Josh Bailey and Brock Nelson, who combined to score 10 of New York’s 14 goals against the Penguins. One area the Isles would like to improve in: the power play, as New York went just 2-of-13 against Pittsburgh. Carolina was actually worse, going a dismal 3-for-25 vs. the Caps.
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