Carolina Eyes Commanding 2-0 Lead Like Last Year
Islanders vs Hurricanes Preview For Game 2 is Sort of Deja Vu
The Carolina Hurricanes will try to take a commanding advantage in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First-Round series against the New York Islanders this Monday. Frederik Andersen was exceptional, stopping 33 shots, and Brady Skjei had two points in Carolina’s 3-1 win in Game 1 at PNC Arena in Raleigh.
The Hurricanes took a 1-0 series advantage and improved to 13-4 at PNC Arena in the playoffs dating back to 2022. Kyle MacLean scored New York’s only goal, and Semyon Varlamov made 25 saves. The Isles have dropped six of their past seven road NHL playoff games dating back to 2021.
Here’s a look at the Islanders vs Hurricanes preview for Game 2.
Islanders vs Hurricanes 
Records: Islanders (39-28-16), Hurricanes (53-23-7)
Day, Time:
Location: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
Streaming: ESPN2, MSG, Bally Sports South
History repeating?
If you read the Islanders vs Hurricanes preview for Game 1, you know the Hurricanes are seeking their second straight 2-0 first-round against the Islanders.
Still, Carolina’s Game 1 win Saturday wasn’t exactly a copy of its opening-round victory a year ago. Unlike last season, where Carolina dominated with a 37-26 edge in shots in its 2-1 win, the Islanders outshot the Canes but were held in check by Andersen.
The veteran Carolina starter was once again outstanding, finishing with a .970 save percentage and winning for the 10th time in 11 starts in Raleigh. With the way Andersen is playing — he’s allowed three or more goals in just three of his 17 appearances this hockey season — it’s safe to buy into the under, which is slated for 5.5 goals yet again in Game 2.
The over features plus-money odds and is a tantalizing option, since there were seven-plus goals in three of the four regular-season games. But this is the playoffs, and goals are going to be harder to come by.
Even though you’ll lay some juice, taking the under is the right NHL pick.
Road Woes
New York was just 18-23 against the moneyline on the road during the regular season, with a minus-14 goal differential. The Islanders are 3-7 in their past 10 road games, including Game 1, and have given up at least three goals in six of those games.
The Islanders outshooting the Canes was also a stark contrast to their bottom-10 possession numbers away from Long Island too. New York finished 25th in Corsi-For percentage on the road (45.6) and Shots-For percentage (46.4) and 21st in Expected Goals percentage (47.9).
New York did win twice in Raleigh during the regular season, scoring five goals in each of its two wins. But the Isles have allowed at least three goals in all five head-to-head games, including both wins in North Carolina.
As if New York hasn’t had enough difficulty winning away from home, the crowd in Raleigh is a different animal altogether, especially in the playoffs.
The Hurricanes tend to feed off their energy, especially while forechecking, which is a big reason why Carolina has been super-successful there and New York is 1-3 at PNC Arena during the playoffs over the past two postseasons.
Who Will Go in Game 2?
Islanders coach Patrick Roy went with Varlamov in goal, leaving reigning Vezina Trophy winner Ilya Sorokin on the bench for Game 1. Roy did not disclose who will start in Game 2 but has the option to go back to Sorokin, who led the Isles with 25 regular-season wins.
Sorokin had an uncharacteristically disappointing season, posting only a .908 save percentage and 3.08 goals-against average, but still represents New York’s best option in net and to upset the heavily favored Hurricanes.
Aside from goaltending changes, NHL injuries and lineup decisions are also a huge factor this time of the year. Any Islanders vs Hurricanes preview needs to address Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s status, since the Islanders center, who had 11 goals and 33 points, missed his first game of the season in Game 1 with a lower-body injury.
With the Islanders in desperate need of offense, Pageau’s return would be a welcome sight. He is considered day to day — though aren’t we all? — and reportedly could play Monday in Raleigh.
If Pageau plays, look for fourth-line center Simon Holmstrom to come out of the lineup in Game 2. Holmstrom had one shot on goal in 9:37 in Game 1.
For Carolina, depth forward Jesper Fast missed Game 1 due to an undisclosed injury and was not at Carolina’s practice Sunday. Fast, like Pageau, was injured in his team’s season finale, and his status is up in the air for Game 2.
But with Carolina now with the shortest odds to reach the Stanley Cup Finals (+275), it is the obvious favorite in this matchup.
Prediction
- Hurricanes 3 Islanders 1
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