KEY POINTS

  • Islanders visit Hurricanes on Sunday
  • Islanders suffered a meltdown on Saturday against Capitals
  • Carolina Hurricanes are faves at home

The Carolina Hurricanes are still well within contention to nab a spot in the NHL Playoffs, but it seems that they have to do it sans their prime defensive player Dougie Hamilton. Currently on a three-game slide, the Hurricanes hope to turn things around when they host the New York Islanders on Sunday inside the PNC Arena.

The NHL betting odds are giving the edge to the Hurricanes despite having an inferior tally compared to the Islanders. The visiting New York team is three spots above Carolina in the Metropolitan standings while barely clinging on the third spot in the division.

Hurricanes:

Carolina’s chances to advance to the next round might have just taken a hit with the reported indefinite absence of top defenseman Hamilton to their next games after undergoing a leg surgery on Friday. At sixth in the Metropolitan Division, the Hurricanes, however, are right in pursuit to at least capture a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. While the Islanders have lesser defeats so far in the season, the win gap between the two teams is oddly just a hairline, 28 against 27.

Islanders:

Devon Toews had himself a career night in last night’s loss to the Capitals after scoring his first career-three point game which was built around a goal and two assists. Wingman Anthony Beauvillier made a good account of himself as well after dishing out two assists in just the first period against Washinton, setting a career-high in dimes with 16.

The Islanders suffered a complete meltdown against the state capital, leading by as much as 4-1 before going empty against a five-point avalanche unleashed by Washington.

Odds and Trends:

The Hurricanes are favorites at home with -180 ML price against +160 for the Islanders. The total is squared at O/U 5.5

The Hurricanes are 12-3 in their last 15 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game and 13-5 in their last 18 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation.

The Islanders are 6-1 in their last 7 Sunday games and 5-1 in their last 6 games as a road underdog.

Under is 5-0 in Hurricanes last 5 overall and 21-4-1 in Islanders last 26 in the third game of a 3-in-4 days situation.

Over is 5-1 in Islanders last 6 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Prediction:

Moneyline: Islanders

Total: Under