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- What: Eastern Conference NHL Playoffs – Round 1 – Game 3
- Who: Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders
- Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
- Location: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN2, BSSO, MSGSN
The first round NHL playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders moves north for Thursday’s Game 3. The Hurricanes have a 2-0 series lead over the Islanders as the teams get a two-day break before playing at UBS Arena in New York on Thursday night. Carolina won the first game of the series 3-1 and followed that with a 5-3 come-from-behind victory in Game 2. Both those games took place at the Hurricanes home barn, PNC Arena.
The Islanders did not get many shots off in the first two periods of action in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference Playoff matchup, but the club made the shots they took count, racking up three goals on nine shots on goal. However, New York could not hold onto the 3-1 lead they had at the end of the second period. Instead, the Hurricanes roared back, limiting the Islanders to one shot in the third period while taking 17 of their own, scoring four goals on those shots, including two goals in nine seconds and three in the final 2:30 of play.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference NHL playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders, check out our guide to betting on the 2024 NHL Playoffs and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders betting picks – Game 3
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -1.5 (+170) | -155 | Ov 5.5 (-101) |
| New York Islanders | +1.5 (-195) | +138 | Un 5.5 (-115) |
Carolina Hurricanes betting breakdown
The Carolina Hurricanes tightened their defense between Game 1 and Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Playoff series against the New York Islanders. In the first game, the Hurricanes allowed 34 shots on goal. In Game 2, that number was 12, with 11 of those shots coming in the first two periods. Despite limiting the number of shots on Monday night, Carolina was in a 3-0 hole with 16 minutes left in the second period of Game 2. The Hurricanes stormed back and beat the Islanders 5-3.
Carolina finished the 2024 regular season with the eighth most goals per game in the league (3.38) and the fourth fewest goals allowed (2.57). The Hurricanes power play ranked second overall (26.9 percent), and the team’s penalty kill was No. 1 at 86.4 percent. Carolina took the third-most shots per game in the regular season (33.3) and allowed the fewest shots (25.6)
Questions remain about Hurricanes starting goaltender Frederik Andersen. Andersen did not play back-to-back games for the team after returning from a long absence because of blood clot issues. While Andersen looked good in Game 1 against the Islanders making 33 saves with a .971 save percentage, he allowed three goals on 12 shots in Game 2, which put his save percentage at .750 for the contest. The good thing is that the 34-year-old gets two days off ahead of Game 3, but Andersen’s play needs to be watched.
Defenseman Brett Pesce left Game 2 with a lower-body injury in the second period. He will be looked at during the short break before Game 3, but Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said it was “not looking good” for the blueliner, who has been with the club since 2016.
New York Islanders betting breakdown
The New York Islanders had to feel good going into the third period of Game 2 of their series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite only putting 11 shots on goal, the team had a 3-1 lead and were looking at splitting the opening two games in Carolina with the Hurricanes. Instead, New York was outshot 29-5 in the final 40 minutes. The Hurricanes also dominated them in attempts, 110-28 for the game. New York has to find a way to generate offense and keep the puck out of their zone in Game 3 of the series.
It could be a tough task for the Islanders to find that offense. The only playoff team this year with fewer goals per game in the regular season than New York (2.99) is the Capitals. The team averaged more goals against than they scored this year (3.15). New York’s power play was in the bottom half of the NHL (20.4 percent), and the team had the worst penalty kill in the league (71.5). The Islanders averaged 30.1 shots per game and surrendered an average of 32.7, which was the fourth highest in the NHL.
With the loss in Game 2, the Islanders are tied for most blown leads in the regular season and playoffs in 2024 with the Nashville Predators with nine.
The Islanders played the Hurricanes twice on home ice during the 2024 regular season. Carolina won both games.
Best bets for Game 3 between Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders
The Hurricanes and Islanders played three games in New York during last year’s opening round, and Carolina won two of those contests, including the series-ending game six. The betting pick is that the Carolina Hurricanes will win Game 3 of their 2024 series against the NY Islanders.
The Hurricanes offense is potent, and the Islanders goaltenders were in the bottom half of the NHL in average goals allowed per game. The trend in Islanders vs. Hurricanes games has been for the goal total to hit the over. With that, the betting pick is for the Hurricanes and Islanders to score more than 5.5 goals in Game 3.
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