The New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes meet in Game 2 of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference 1st-round series Monday. The Hurricanes lead the series 1-0. Puck drop from PNC Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Hurricanes odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes whipped the PNC Arena crowd into a frenzy in Game 1, as Evgeny Kuznetsov scored a power-play goal just 95 seconds into the contest. Kyle MacLean evened things up at 8:20 of the 1st period, however, and that’s how things stayed until the 3rd period. Stefan Noesen scored an even-strength goal at 3:44 of the final period, while Martin Necas hit an empty-net goal to put a bow on the scoring.
The road team won all 4 regular-season meetings, including 2 games decided in overtime. However, Carolina had other ideas in the series opener. The Hurricanes have won 12 of the past 16 playoff games at home.
Carolina has cashed the Under at an 8-0-1 pace in the past 9 home games, while New York has hit the Under at a 5-1-1 clip in the past 7 outings on the road.
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Islanders at Hurricanes odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Hurricanes -250 (bet $250 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-130) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Islanders at Hurricanes projected goalies
Semyon Varlamov (14-8-4, 2.60 GAA, .918 SV%, 3 SO in regular season) vs. Frederik Andersen (13-2-0, 1.84 GAA, .932 SV%, 3 SO in regular season)
Varlamov made the surprise start in Game 1, although it really isn’t that stunning considering the fact he finished the regular season on a high note with 5 consecutive victories and just 8 goals allowed in April. However, Varlamov did allow 2 goals on 25 shots.
Andersen kicked aside 33 of the 34 shots he faced in a 3-1 win against the Islanders, carrying over his late-season momentum. Since returning from a blood-clotting issue March 7, Andersen has allowed just 14 goals in 10 regular-season starts and the Game 1 victory.
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Islanders at Hurricanes picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Islanders 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-250) will set you back 2½ times your potential return, and that’s way too much risk for not enough return.
While the Islanders (+200) didn’t necessarily play poorly in Game 1, they struggled offensively and cannot be trusted until they return to home ice.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The ISLANDERS +1.5 (-130) are worth a look on the puck line, as we should get another lower-scoring defensive battle in Game 2 in Raleigh.
New York is going to have a hard time beating Andersen, who has been red hot for a lengthy period of time. However, it should be able to keep it close, and we could get our 1st overtime of this series.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (-120) is a strong play in Game 2. We had a total of just 4 goals in the series opener, and one of those goals was of the empty-net variety.
The Canes have hit at an 8-0-1 clip in the past 9 home outings, including the series opener, while the Isles had cashed at a 5-1-1 pace in the past 7 road contests.
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