We have a Metropolitan Division NHL matchup as the New York Islanders are on the road to take on the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday evening inside the Lenovo Center for our Islanders vs. Hurricanes prediction. The Islanders (4-4-1, 9 points) are eighth in the division and are on a two-game losing streak after coming off a 5-2 road loss on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. The Hurricanes (6-3-0, 12 points) are third in the division as they are also on a two-game losing streak as they are coming off a 6-3 home loss against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. This is the first of three games against one another as they will not play again in April. Blue line to crease — NHL picks for New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes without the fluff.
Islanders Looking to Heat Up on the Road
The New York Islanders are doing a respectable job so far, as they rank 15th in the NHL with 32 goals scored thus far. Center Bo Horvat is leading the team as he has 11 points (six goals, five assists) thus far and recorded six points in his last five games. In his last game against the Boston Bruins, he recorded one goal and one assist on six shots during his 21:42 on the ice. They have been below the league average throughout the season on the power play as they are 5-for-32 (15.63 percent) in those situations.
David Rittich will be between the pipes for this game for the Islanders and is 2-0-0 with a .940 save percentage and 2.01 goals allowed thus far. He won in the net last time out against the Detroit Red Wings last Thursday as he allowed two goals on 34 shot attempts. The Islanders sit at 20th place in the sport with 32 goals allowed so far. They need to improve at killing penalties as they have killed 22-of-31 (70.97 percent) up to this point.
Injury Report for New York
Defenseman Alexander Romanov: Upper Body (Questionable) Right winger Maxim Shabanov: Upper Body (OUT) Left winger Pierre Engvall: Ankle (OUT) Defenseman Ethan Bear: Undisclosed (OUT) Goalie Semyon Varlamov: Knee (OUT)
Sign Up for StatSalt News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
I understand that I can unsubscribe at any time. I have read and accepted the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. I consent that StatSalt may use third-party services to process my data.
Terms & Conditions Hurricanes Looking to Bring the Storm
The Carolina Hurricanes are 13th in the NHL with 33 goals scored entering this game. Center Seth Jarvis has been leading the way for the team as he has recorded 11 points (seven goals, four assists) so far this season and recorded two points in his previous three games. He recorded zero points on a pair of shot attempts in his last game against the Golden Knights over 19:29 on the ice. Their power play has been significantly below the league average as they converted on 3-of-30 (10.00 percent) of their attempts, so they will need to improve on that front.
Frederik Andersen is expected to be in the net for this game, and he is 4-2-0 with 3.11 goals allowed per game and a .892 save percentage so far. He last played on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights in a loss where he allowed five goals on 34 shot attempts. As a team, Carolina is clicking as they ranks seventh in hockey with 28 goals allowed. They are slightly above the league average in terms of killing penalties as they have killed 29-of-35 (82.86 percent) of them.
Injury Report for Carolina
Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere: Lower Body (Questionable) Defenseman K’Andre Miller: Lower Body (Questionable) Left winger Eric Robinson: Upper Body (OUT) Left winger William Carrier: Lower Body (OUT) Defenseman Jaccob Slavin: Lower Body (OUT) Goalie Pyotr Kochetkov: Lower Body (OUT) New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes PickSpread Pick for Islanders vs. Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (5 units)
Carolina has been the significantly better team this season, even with the numerous injuries plaguing the team thus far. New York is dealing with a backup goaltender in Rittich, who has only played in two games this season, while Andersen has been one of the top goalies in the sport. There is a bit of a difference in the ability to win faceoffs throughout the season as the Islanders are 20th in the sport with a 48.6 faceoff win percentage, while the Hurricanes are 13th in the league with a 51.4 faceoff win percentage thus far. The Hurricanes have covered the puck line in three of the previous five games against one another, so go with the Carolina Hurricanes to cover the puck line in their own building.
Over/Under Pick for New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes
Asking for seven total goals to be scored in a game is going to be difficult to expect for this matchup. These teams have been struggling to score the puck on special teams, while the defenses are getting stops on the penalty kill. Rittich has done a strong job in limited action thus far, while Andersen is a veteran between the pipes. Both teams are banged up for this game, and that is going to be difficult for these teams to get some offense going on. The under has hit in six of the last 10 games against one another, so go with UNDER 6.5 GOALS to hit here.
Spend $25 Get $50 in Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
Signup Promo Recommended
150,000 Bits + FREE 4 Bucks
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
No Deposit Hot Offer
Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins
Show Bonus Code
Claim Bonus
Signup Promo Hot Offer