New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes: Game 2

By Sam Batz

On Wednesday, April 19th the Carolina Hurricanes will host the New York Islanders for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs opening round (7:00 PM EST, ESPN 2). The Hurricanes narrowly beat the Islanders 2-1 in Game 1 on Monday. The Islanders kept it close, surprising anyone who thought it would be a blowout. Carolina is favored once again in Game 2 with similar odds to Game 1. The Islanders will look to upset the Hurricanes on the road and even the series 1-1, but Carolina’s defense will be tough to out play. 

The New York Islanders (+150)

The Islanders went 42-31-9 and secured a wildcard spot in the final days of the regular season. They missed the playoffs last season, but are back this year to compete for their 5th Stanley Cup Trophy in franchise history. The Islanders recorded 26 shots on goal, but converted just 1 goal. The Islanders were 1-3-0 against the Hurricanes during the regular season, and currently have a 19% chance to make it past the First Round. New York will need to overcome Carolina’s suffocating defense if they are to have any chance of winning Game 2. 

The Carolina Hurricanes (-180)

The Canes finished the season with a 51-21-9 record and led the Islanders by 20 points. They are heavily favored to win their First Round series, with a 81% chance to make the Second Round. Carolina recorded an outstanding 37 shots in Game 1, but scored just 2 goals. They won the game but won’t be happy with that conversion rate. The Hurricanes will enter Game 2 ready to pour it on, and will lean on their impressive defense to protect their home arena, where they won nearly 70% of their games this season.

Islanders vs. Hurricanes: Game 2 Odds

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Islanders vs. Hurricanes: Regular Season Stats

Islanders vs. Hurricanes: Betting Trends

Islanders vs. Hurricanes: Game Changers

New York Islanders

• Defender Ryan Pulock scored New York’s lone goal in Game 1, it was his 6th goal of the season, and he was the only Islanders who recorded a point
• Brock Nelson led the Islanders with 75 points (36 goals, 39 assists) during the regular season, he had 3 goals in 4 games against the Hurricanes  
• Ilya Sorokin was New York’s goalie in Game 1, he allowed 2 goals off of 37 shots against for a SV% of 94.6% 

Carolina Hurricanes

• Brent Burns and Martin Necas each recorded 2 points (0 goals, 2 assists) in Carolina’s Game 1 victory
• Sebastian Aho and Stefan Noesen were the two goal scorers for the Hurricane’s in Game 1
• Antti Raanta played between the sticks in Game 1, he allowed 1 goal against and had 25 saves for a SV% of 96.2%

Islanders vs. Hurricanes Prediction: Game 2

Take the Carolina Hurricanes to win Game 2. The Hurricanes are too strong on defense for the Islanders to beat them. New York and Carolina have a difference in goal differential of +27 in favor of the Hurricanes. Carolina is difficult to beat at home, with a 68% win-rate, and the Islanders don’t travel well, winning just 41.5% of their games on the road. Game 1 was a close contest, but because of their impenetrable defense, Carolina came out on top, which I expect to happen again in Game 2. 

Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline (-180)

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