The Carolina Hurricanes (27-18-3) host the New York Islanders (28-15-4) at PNC Arena for a 5 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Islanders-Hurricanes odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Islanders at Hurricanes: Projected starting goalies
Thomas Greiss vs. James Reimer
The Islanders are sending out backup netminder Greiss who has won back-to-back games, including an impressive 34-save effort in an 8-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday. The win moved Greiss to 13-7-0 on the year with a .921 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average.
Between the other pipes is Hurricanes No. 2 Reimer, who is sporting a 10-6-1 record with a .919 SV% and 2.56 GAA. Reimer has been good lately—winning two of his last three starts—but dropped his last game 2-1 in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks.
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Islanders at Hurricanes: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Hurricanes 1
Moneyline (ML)
Let’s live a little on this glorious Sunday and BET ISLANDERS (+150). Sure, the Hurricanes have owned the Islanders recently; Carolina has won six straight against the Islanders, including last year’s second-round playoff series, but they can’t beat the Islanders forever, right? The Islanders are 6-1 in their last seven Sunday games and the Hurricanes have struggled in the Metropolitan Division lately—they are 2-11 in their last 13 vs. Metropolitan opponents.
The ISLANDERS (+150) are offering just too much value for a team who has to be ultra motivated for revenge.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Neither team’s puck line record inspires confidence in a wager; the Islanders are 21-26 against the spread and the Hurricanes are 21-27. The dog has held an edge in the Islanders-Hurricanes recent history. The underdog is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings so there is prudence in an Islanders +1.5 (-189) bet. Also, New York is 11-11 ATS on the road and Carolina is just 11-13 ATS at home. Between the Hurricanes’ recent success versus the Islanders and the heavy vig attached to the New York side, I recommend a PASS on the puck line.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (-121) is the only play that makes sense here. The Islanders-Hurricanes combined Over/Under record is 41-52, both are below average in total goals scored per game (Hurricanes rank 23rd and Islanders rank 26th) and both backups have a lower GAA than the regular starting goalies. BetMGM knows the Under is the better side hence the -121 pricepoint.
New to sports betting? Bet $121 on Under 5.5 total goals in the Islanders-Hurricanes game to earn a profit of $100.
Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
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