The Carolina Hurricanes visit the New York Islanders on Thursday night, with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET at UBS Arena. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Carolina is a -180 favorite on the Moneyline, while the total is set at O/U 5.5 goals.
Below, I’ll break down the matchup and provide my top Islanders vs. Hurricanes prediction and best bet.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes Odds
| Market | Carolina Hurricanes | New York Islanders |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -180 | +150 |
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+154) | +1.5 (-185) |
| Total | Over 5.5 (-122) | Under 5.5 (+102) |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes Betting Preview
New York Islanders Outlook
Generating quality chances has been a big weakness for New York, which has produced the fewest high-danger shots in the NHL (23) and ranks 26th in both xGoals per 60 (2.81) and goals per game (2.79). Bo Horvat has been one consistent threat with a team-high seven goals on 6.9 xGoals, while defenseman Matthew Schaefer leads the Islanders with 14 points and 52 shots. The power play has converted just 15.9% (29th) of the time, and the Islanders were just shut out 4-0 by Edmonton at home in their last outing on Halloween.
New York has allowed just 38 goals on 46.9 xGoals, and Semyon Varlamov will start in place of Ilya Sorokin after going 1-1-2 with a .891 SV% and 2.40 GAA through four starts. The 38-year-old’s +5.4 GSAx ranks eighth among 74 goaltenders, and his +2.40% SV% above expected ranks second, though that’s over a small sample. Plus, the penalty kill in front of him ranks fifth at 86.0%.
Carolina Hurricanes Outlook
Carolina has outscored opponents 43-25 at 5v5 while generating 3.83 xGoals per 60 (second) and 52 high-danger shots (second). The utter dominance has translated into some lopsided results, as eight of the Hurricanes’ 12 wins have come by two goals or more. Plus, they sport a stellar 7-2-1 record on the road. Sebastian Aho leads the team with 21 points, while Logan Stankoven paces the Hurricanes with 10 goals and 52 shots.
Brandon Bussi will likely draw his first start since Oct. 22, when he allowed five goals on 21 shots against Edmonton, and he enters with an .865 SV% and 3.27 GAA. His -4.6 GSAx ranks 68th, while his -1.59% SV% above expected ranks 64th. Carolina is also coming off a 4-1 loss in Nashville on Tuesday, which was only its third regulation loss of the season and second loss by multiple goals.
Islanders vs. Hurricanes Prediction and Best Bet
The Moneyline is a bit too juiced at -180, but the gap between these teams is wide enough for me to lay the goal and a half. New York has allowed nearly nine fewer goals than expected, but I believe that kind of goaltending luck tends to even out against a team that generates as many quality chances as Carolina does. Bussi’s last start and overall numbers are concerning, but the Islanders’ lack of high-danger looks offers a good matchup, and Carolina has won four of the past five meetings, with two of them coming by multiple goals.
Best Bet: Hurricanes Puck Line -1.5 (+154)
Advanced stats courtesy of MoneyPuck.
