Islanders vs Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 4 Pick

The New York Islanders likely breathed a collective sigh of relief when they swept the Pittsburgh Penguins and that high-tone offense right out of the postseason. Now, though, they find themselves on the wrong end of a potential sweep as they prepare to take the ice on Friday in Carolina, down 3-0 to the Hurricanes in their Eastern Conference semifinal series. In Game 3, the Hurricanes rode to a 5-2 win despite using backup Curtis McElhinney (the oldest goalie in NHL history to make his first start in the playoffs, at 35 years, 343 days) stopped 28 of 30 shots in relief of Petr Mrazek, who remains questionable with a lower body injury. Teuvo Teravainen had a pair of goals for the Hurricanes, and Justin Williams, Justin Faulk and Sebastian Aho scored the other two. Now the Hurricanes have won seven of eight in these playoffs and looks primed for the sweep. Devon Toews and Josh Bailey scored the Islanders’ two goals, as their offense is sputtering badly now. Can the Isles avoid the sweep and send the series back home? Or will the Hurricanes make it eight straight? We have your NHL betting preview right here.

Islanders vs Hurricanes Stanley Cup Playoffs Odds & Game 4 Pick

When: Friday, May 3, 2019, 7:00pm ET Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC TV: NBC Sports Radio: 620 AM WTMJ Milwaukee / WBZ 98.5 FM Boston Live Stream: ESPN+ NHL Odds: Carolina Hurricanes -120 / N.Y. Islanders +100 

Why should you bet on New York?

New York made their reputation this season with a tight defense that limits mistakes and shuts down opportunities for the opposing team. When they were able to sweep Sidney Crosby and the rest of the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the postseason, their Stanley Cup stock rose significantly. The fact that they have not been able to light the lamp against Carolina is just as much a testament to the Islanders’ doldrums as it is to the Hurricanes’ defensive scheme. The Islanders had won five in a row on the road before Game 3 and have won six of eight overall. Given that the road team has won seven of the last eight meetings between these two teams — and given that New York will be playing with desperation — it’s hard to imagine the Islanders laying down for another sweep. Or will their desperation turn into frustration? Given the Islanders’ season, it’s hard to pick against them.

Why should you put your money on Carolina?

Did you know that New York goaltender Robin Lehner is now 0-7 lifetime against Carolina? That includes four regular-season matchups and the three losses so far in this series. Carolina has been terrific at home in the postseason, winning all three games at PNC Arena against the Washington Capitals in the first round and Game 3 in this series. The Hurricanes have put together one of the better home records in the NHL in the 2018-19 season. Carolina has won 19 of 26 at home and 37 of 54 overall. However, the road team is 7-1 in the last eight meetings between these two teams, and New York had won five in a row in Carolina before dropping Game 3. If you like the Hurricanes to complete the sweep, you see Carolina continuing to frustrate the Islanders defensively and limit New York’s scoring opportunities while finding ways to get through to Lehner in net.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Desperate times provide powerful motivation for teams — but momentum is the name of the game in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I like Carolina to continue their string of dominance and close out the Islanders at home, with a final score of Carolina 4, New York 2.