Islanders vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Prediction, Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
Game 1 came as advertised with both teams sticking to their defensive gameplans, not allowing many scoring chances resulting in the 3-1 final for the Hurricanes. Just like last year’s series the Canes lasted the Isles on home ice to take the 1-0 series lead, but unlike last year, New York out-shot Carolina and pushed most of the play, despite ending with a similar result.
The Hurricanes are a heavy -250 favourite on the NHL odds to win again in Game 2.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes Game 2 Betting Odds
The Islanders proved in Game 1 that they will not be an easy out in the first round. Last year’s series went six games, but oddsmakers have this year’s series shorter than that, with the favoured outcomes being 4-1 Hurricanes (+220) and a Canes 4-0 sweep (+300) on the NHL Futures board.
After their win in Game 1, Carolina has moved to a -833 favourite to take the series, pushing the Islanders down to +550. One win has not changed their odds of going all the way as they still sit as the +650 favourite for the cup.
After notching an empty net goal in Game 1, Martin Necas has moved to the top of our prop board for a top goal scorer in the league. Check for some value picks lower in the list like either team’s leading scorer this season, Sebastian Aho (+600) or Brock Nelson (+1000).
New York Islanders
Other than the 3-1 final, the Islanders must be happy with how they performed to open the series, carrying their momentum from their late push in the regular season. The referees put the Isle’s in the box just 1:22, calling captain Anders Lee on a soft holding call. The Hurricanes capitalized on the man advantage pulling ahead early. After posting the worst penalty kill numbers in the league this season, the game will be to stay out of the box.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau was a late scratch before Game 1, forcing rookie Kyle MacLean to make his playoff debut. The 24-year-old made his first playoff appearance to remember scoring the Islanders’ lone goal in the game to tie things at 1-1 midway through the first. Pageau is still a game-time decision ahead of Game 2 with a lower-body injury.
Semyon Varlamov stopped 23 of 25 shots in the loss, snapping his five-game win streak. He was getting the brunt of starts to end the season so coach Patrick Roy will likely turn to him again in Game 2. Ilya Sorokin will likely get a look before this season is all said and done.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes were off since Tuesday before playing Game 1 on Saturday, which might explain their slow start in the opener. Thankfully they were awarded a powerplay early in the first, letting the league’s best powerplay go to work. Deadline acquisition Evgeny Kuznetsov opened the scoring with a powerplay rip for his 30th career playoff goal. Stefan Noesen banged in a bouncing puck early in the third putting the Canes up 2-1. Noesen had an amazing series last year versus the Islanders notching four points (2G, 2A) in the six-game series.
The big dogs were quiet for the Canes on Saturday as Sebastian Aho, Jake Guentzel, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov were all held off the scoresheet despite combining for 10 shots on goal. They even had three chances on the man advantage and scored on one.
After finishing the season red-hot Frederick Anderson kept rolling in Game 1, stopping 33 of 34 allowing two or less for the 14th time in the last 15 games. Without Andersen’s stellar performance, the Canes will likely lose this one. The veteran netminder made an amazing save on his stomach in the third period which sealed the win for the team.
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