New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Game 3: Predictions, Odds and How to Watch

Where: PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC.

When: Wednesday, May 1, 7PM EST

How (TV/Radio): NBCSN, CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS | WFAN

New York Islanders (Away)

Head Coach: Barry Trotz {All-Time 810-595-60-141 NYI, WSH, NSH}

The New York Islanders, although down two games, have been playing good hockey. Their puck possession has been fantastic as shown with their 54.2 faceoff win percentage and their terrific 94.4 penalty kill. They also average 31.2 shots per game. The problem just seems to be the quality of those shots, as not many are going into the net.

Game two saw them outplay the Hurricanes in many aspects. They outshot and out-hit their opponents and won significantly more faceoffs. They even had a 1-0 lead to start game two. Expect the Islanders to play with more fire throughout game three.

Vezina award finalist Robin Lehner will get the start in game three for the Islanders. The Isles have dropped the first two games of the series, but that fault can not be placed on Lehner’s shoulders as he’s allowed only three goals on 50 shots. He is 4-2 in the playoffs this year with a goals against average of 1.47 and a save percentage of .952. He has two penalty minutes.

Carolina Hurricanes (Home)

Head Coach: Rod Brind’Amour {All-Time 46-29-7 CAR}

With their game two win, the Carolina Hurricanes officially became Vegas’ new betting favourite to win the Stanley Cup this season. The Canes are 5-3 in this years playoffs with no losses in the second round. They are also the only team to have two shutouts.

With all that said, game two brought about some bad news for the Carolina Hurricanes as goaltender Petr Mrazek left game two in the middle of the second period with a lower-body injury. He has been listed as day-to-day and it is uncertain if he will be in net for game three. Forward Saku Maenalanen and defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk have been ruled out of game three completely.

Carolina was mostly outplayed throughout game two as well. They had only a 42.3 faceoff percentage and mustered only 18 shots on goal – uncharacteristic for the team that led the NHL in shots all season. They also got out-hit 45-33.

Should Mrazek not play, goaltender Curtis McElhinney will get the start. Game two against the Islanders was McElhinney’s first appearance in these playoffs. He played 34 minutes and allowed zero goals, leaving his goals against average at 0.00 and his save percentage at 1.00. He has a career playoff GAA of 2.62 and career playoff SVP of .900.

Series recap (Carolina leads series 2-0) Game one: 1-0 (OT) Carolina, Game two: 2-1 Carolina

Playoff Performers

Although the offense has struggled thus far in series two, it is still Jordan Eberle leading the charge with four goals and three assists. He has two power play points and one game-winning goal. He has 17 shots on net.

As mentioned earlier, one can not write goalie Robin Lehner off as a playoff performer. He has been on of New York’s most reliable performers.

For Carolina, Jaccob Slavin finds himself in the top-10 in playoff scoring. Slavin has ten assists with a 1.11 points-per-game average. He has two power play points, one short-handed point, and 16 shots on goal.

Questions to answer

Will Carolina Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek make it to the crease for game three?

Can the New York Islanders rediscover their offensive ways after only managing one goal over the first two games?

Can the Carolina ride the hype train into their hometown for game three as the new betting favourites to win the Cup or will they buckle?

New York Islanders Injury Report

D Johnny Boychuk – day-to-day (leg)

C Tanner Fritz – IR (hand)

F Andrew Ladd – day-to-day (Torn ACL)

Carolina Hurricanes Injury Report

F Saku Maenalanen – day-to-day (hand)

G Petr Mrazek – day-to-day (lower-body)

D Trevor van Riemsdyk – day-to-day (shoulder)

F Jordan Martinook – day-to-day (leg)

F Michael Ferland – day-to-day (upper-body)

F Andrei Svechnikov – day-to-day (concussion)

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes Odds

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