Hurricanes vs Islanders Game 5 Prediction NHL Playoffs 4/25

© Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Islanders vs Hurricanes (Apr 25, 2023) Pregame

The first round of the NHL playoffs continue as the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders with a 3-1 lead in the series. The Hurricanes will be looking to close out the series and advance to the second round, while the Islanders will be fighting to keep their season alive. Experts, computer models and EM predictions have the Hurricanes as clear favorites with a -162 line, while the Islanders sit at +137 underdogs. The over/under for the game is set at 5.5. The Hurricanes finished the regular season with an impressive 52-21-9 record, earning them the top spot in the Metropolitan Division. They have been dominant at home this year, posting a 22-7-1 record in divisional games. Carolina has also gone 48-5-5 in games where they score at least three goals. The Islanders finished fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a 42-31-9 record. They have been solid within the division, going 17-10-3 against their rivals. New York has allowed 217 goals while scoring 242 for a +25 scoring differential. Both teams have top performers to watch out for heading into this crucial game. Brent Burns has been a key player for the Hurricanes, posting 18 goals and 42 assists for the season. Sebastian Aho has also been hot lately with four goals and four assists in the last 10 games. For the Islanders, Brock Nelson has been stellar with 36 goals and 39 assists on the year. Hudson Fasching has also been productive with three goals and one assist in the last 10 games. The Hurricanes have won six of their last 10 games, with an average of three goals per game. The Islanders have struggled in their last 10 games, winning just four and averaging 2.8 goals per game. The game will be played in Raleigh, North Carolina on Tuesday at 7 p.m. EDT. 

Islanders: Offensive Analysis

The New York Islanders are on the brink of elimination in the NHL Playoffs as they head into Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Their offense has been lackluster throughout the series, only managing to score six goals in the first four games. This lack of scoring puts the Islanders at a significant disadvantage against a Hurricanes team that has a potent offense. The Islanders will need their top offensive players to step up if they want to extend the series. Brock Nelson, who has 36 goals and 39 assists on the season, will be the key to the Islanders' success. However, he has only managed to score one goal in the playoffs. Hudson Fasching has been their only other significant contributor with three goals in the last 10 games. The Islanders need more from their supporting cast as well. Players like Kyle Palmieri and Jean-Gabriel Pageau need to elevate their game and provide secondary scoring. If the Islanders' offense remains stagnant, it will be challenging for them to keep up with the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes have dominated the Islanders on the offensive end, scoring 19 goals in the first four games. The Islanders' defense has been unable to contain the Hurricanes' talented forwards, and their goaltending has been suspect at times. The Hurricanes have the advantage in every facet of the game and are the clear favorites heading into Game 5. In conclusion, the Islanders' offense will need to find a way to break through the Hurricanes' defense if they want to stay alive in the playoffs. However, it seems unlikely that they will be able to generate enough offense to overcome the Hurricanes' firepower.

Islanders: Defensive Analysis

After losing three out of four games against the Carolina Hurricanes, the New York Islanders are facing an uphill battle going into the final game of their series. In order to avoid elimination, the Islanders will need to step up their defensive game. The Islanders have allowed 217 goals this season, which is not a bad number considering they have played 82 games. However, with their playoff lives on the line, they need to tighten things up even further. They will need the likes of Nick Leddy and Ryan Pulock to lead the charge from the back end, while goaltender Semyon Varlamov will be called upon to make timely saves. In the last 10 games, the Islanders have given up an average of 2.5 goals per game, which is a good sign. However, they will need to do even better than that against a Hurricanes team that has been putting up an average of three goals per game in their last 10. The Islanders will also need to stay disciplined defensively, as penalties have been a problem for them in the playoffs so far. They have averaged 11.6 penalty minutes per game in their last 10, which is something they cannot afford to continue doing if they want to stay in the series. Overall, the Islanders have a tough task ahead of them on the defensive end. However, if they can tighten things up and stay disciplined, they have a chance to extend their season and force a game six. 

Hurricanes: Offense Analysis

When it comes to offense, the Carolina Hurricanes have been a force to be reckoned with throughout the season. The team has a record of 52-21-9 and a 22-7-1 record in Metropolitan Division games. The Hurricanes have gone 48-5-5 in games they score at least three goals, making them a dangerous opponent for any team. Leading the way for the Hurricanes is Brent Burns, who has 18 goals and 42 assists. In the last 10 games, Sebastian Aho has also been a top performer with four goals and four assists. The Hurricanes' offense has been consistent and shows no signs of slowing down. On the other hand, the New York Islanders have allowed 217 goals while scoring 242 for a +25 scoring differential. While Brock Nelson leads the Isles with 36 goals and 39 assists, the team has struggled as of late, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Overall, it's clear that the Hurricanes have the edge when it comes to offense in this matchup. NHL picks experts, computer models, and EM predictions all favor the Hurricanes' offense, and it's not hard to see why.

Hurricanes: Defensive Analysis

As the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series, the defensive analysis takes center stage. The Hurricanes have gone 48-5-5 in games they score at least three goals, which is indicative of not just their offensive prowess but also their strong defense. Led by Brent Burns, who has 18 goals and 42 assists, the Hurricanes have a solid defensive foundation that has allowed them to control the games and limit their opponents' scoring chances. They have given up only 2.6 goals per game on average, which puts them in a good position for this game against the Islanders. The Hurricanes' defensive prowess is also reflected in their recent form, where they have been averaging 2.6 goals per game while giving up only 2.5 goals per game. This proves that their defense has been strong and reliable, which makes them a formidable opponent for the Islanders to overcome. Moreover, the Islanders themselves have allowed 217 goals while scoring 242 for a +25 scoring differential. Though they have some good offensive players in Brock Nelson and Hudson Fasching, they will need to improve their defense if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Based on the above analysis, the Hurricanes are well-positioned to win this game and advance to the next round of the NHL playoffs. While they have some injury concerns, their solid defense should be enough to contain the Islanders' offensive threats and secure the victory. 

Injury Report

As the New York Islanders visit the Carolina Hurricanes for their first round NHL playoffs matchup, injuries have taken a toll on both teams. While the Hurricanes are dealing with six injuries, the Islanders have only one player sidelined. Frederik Andersen is day-to-day with an illness, while Ondrej Kase is out with a concussion, and Jake Gardiner is dealing with a hip/back issue. Max Pacioretty and Teuvo Teravainen are out with an achilles injury and a hand injury, respectively. Andrei Svechnikov is out for the season with a knee injury. Oliver Wahlstrom is the only Islanders player on the injury list, out for the season with a lower body injury. 

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