Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders 4/21/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
East 1st Round – Game 3, CAR leads series 2-0
The Carolina Hurricanes have been dominant in the opening two games of their series against the New York Islanders, building a comfortable 2-0 lead. The Hurricanes’ success has been largely attributed to their exceptional defense, which has stifled the Islanders’ offense, allowing just four goals in the series thus far. Defensemen Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have been standout performers, making significant contributions from the blue line with a goal and five assists combined.
The entire defensive unit, including Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Shayne Gostisbehere, has been instrumental in creating turnovers and limiting the Islanders’ shots on goal. In addition, goaltender Antti Raanta has been stellar between the pipes, making 48 saves out of 52 shots faced to help preserve Carolina’s lead. On the offensive end, Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and Stefan Noesen have led the charge with three goals and three assists collectively, supported by Jesper Fast, Seth Jarvis, and Paul Stastny who have combined for two goals and assists.
- The Carolina Hurricanes are 7-0 SU in their last 7 games on the road against NY Islanders.
- Carolina is 7-2 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Eastern Conference.
- The total stayed UNDER in 8 of Carolina’s last 10 games with a team in the Metropolitan Division.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders 4/21/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
The New York Islanders are facing a tough challenge in their series against the Carolina Hurricanes, as their offense has struggled to generate goals, finding the back of the net only four times in the first two games. While Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Mathew Barzal have been the primary contributors with three goals and two assists combined, the rest of the offense has struggled, leaving the team in need of more production to turn the series around.
The Islanders are counting on a resurgence from key offensive players such as Anders Lee and Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who were instrumental during the regular season with a combined total of 41 goals and 49 assists, but have yet to make a significant impact in the playoffs. In addition to the offensive struggles, the Islanders’ defense has also faced challenges in Game Two, allowing four goals, including the overtime game-winner. While Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech have held their own on the top defensive pairings, the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing the Hurricanes to dictate play in the offensive zone and create scoring opportunities.
- The New York Islanders are 0-7 SU in their last 7 games at home against Carolina.
- The total stayed UNDER in 4 of the Islanders’ last 6 games with a team in the Metropolitan Division.
- The total remained UNDER in 12 of the Islanders’ last 18 games played on a Friday when at home.
Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders. The NHL pick is the Carolina Hurricanes. Based on their recent performance, the Hurricanes are predicted to win Game Three and take a commanding 3-0 series lead. Their ability to find the back of the net consistently, combined with their strong defensive play, makes them a formidable opponent for the Islanders. The final score is anticipated to be 7-3 in favor of the Hurricanes, as they continue to showcase their offensive firepower and dominance in the series. The Islanders will need to make significant adjustments to try and turn the tide in their favor as they face a crucial Game Three in their quest to stay alive in the playoffs.
NHL Starting Time: 7:00 PM (EDT)
Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, New York
Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
TV: TBS
NHL Odds: Carolina Hurricanes -105
NHL Totals: 5.5
