New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes Pick and Prediction – April 20, 2024

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTION – April 20, 2024 — Outside of Long Island, pretty much everyone is writing off the Islanders’ chances in this series. Looking at the stats, however, says that this might be closer than the numbers indicate.

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Yes, New York has major flaws on offense and every goal the Islanders get is an adventure. New York’s penalty kill is abysmal, and they’re facing one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. And yet, the Islanders have always been tough on the Hurricanes when they’ve played them. The past seven games in this series have all gone to the visiting team, and six of the past seven have been decided by a single goal.

That says that the Islanders have a chance to make life tough on the Hurricanes. It also helps that New York has a hot goaltender in Seymon Varlamov and an experienced coach in Patrick Roy. With Carolina bringing both of those things in Frederik Andersen and Rod Brind’Amour, this has the potential to be an interesting series.

The Odds

Puck Drop

When: Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 5 PM EST

Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, N.C.

TV: TBS

Public Bets: 62% on Carolina

Public Money: 64% on New York

Odds courtesy of DraftKings, as of April 19, 2024

New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes In-Season Trends

Both teams come into this series on fire. The Islanders have won eight of nine and the Hurricanes have won seven of nine. Carolina’s surge has been very impressive because the Hurricanes haven’t been winning close games at all in this stretch. Every game in the Hurricanes’ past nine games has been decided by at least two goals, and Carolina held their opponent to two goals or less in all of their wins.

The Islanders have handled both close games and blowouts, winning four games by a single goal and four by multiple markers. They’ve held seven of eight opponents to two goals or less, and the lone exception was a desperate Pittsburgh team that had to win to have any chance at the postseason.

Even though New York is the team with the reputation of no offense, Carolina has played to the under 46 times this season.

Players to Watch

Given what he’s already done this season, the Islanders have to be aware of Seth Jarvis. Jarvis has blossomed as a goal scorer this year, and he’s scored 13 goals on the power play this season. The Islanders have the weakest penalty kill in the league, and the last time the teams met, Jarvis scored the first two goals without needing the extra man.

Bo Horvat has shown he likes playing against Carolina, scoring a goal in both meetings in Raleigh this season. In the last game in New York, Horvat didn’t find the net, but he did score a point by assisting on the Islanders’ only goal. The Isles need him to keep producing to have a chance.

The Pick

Don’t expect a lot of goals here unless the Islanders start taking penalties. New York knows it cannot give Carolina extra chances, and the Islanders and Hurricanes both have hot defenses right now.

The trend of the home team always losing has to end at some point, but I think the Islanders can steal at least one of these games in Raleigh to make it a series. I think they’ll come close in Game 1, but they’ll ultimately fall short in a tight one.