Offense meets defense at UBS Arena on Saturday as the high-volume shooting Carolina Hurricanes (28-9-8) head to face the stifling goaltending of the New York Islanders (23-19-5).Carolina is coming off a 5-2 win over the Wild on Thursday.
The Hurricanes committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Five players found the net for the Hurricanes. Frederik Andersen had a great performance with 29 saves (.935%) in the win.
New York lost for the third game in a row, falling 3-2 (OT) to the Sabres on Thursday. Brock Nelson and Matt Martin both scored once for the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin saved 42 of 45 shots (.933%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have split their two meetings this season, the most recent of which was a 3-0 victory for the Hurricanes in December. Paul Stastny, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Jordan Staal were on the scoresheet for Carolina. Pyotr Kochetkov saved 16 shots to earn the shutout win.
FACING OFF
Carolina is averaging 3.18 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Islanders team that is allowing 2.72 goals a game (8th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 2.96 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Hurricanes are allowing opponents to score 2.67 goals per game (7th).
Carolina averages more shots per game (35.6) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.1% shooting percentage ranks 26th. New York has proven to be one of the league’s better shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 2 with a team save percentage of .921%.
The Hurricanes’ 18.75% power play percentage ranks 26th in the league, while the Islanders are 27th with a conversion rate of 16.91%. New York has been more impressive at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fourth-highest PK% at 82.86%. Carolina ranks 12th at 80.50%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 41 points this season, Martin Necas is the top skater for the Hurricanes. He has 18 goals and 23 assists in 45 games. In the net, Kochetkov (10-4-5) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.33 GAA and a .913% save percentage. Mathew Barzal and Nelson lead the Islanders in scoring with 41 and 40 points, respectively. Barzal has 11 goals and 30 assists, while Nelson has 16 goals and 24 assists.
Sorokin (15-14-3) is the top goalie for New York with a goals against average of 2.30, fifth-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .925%, third-best.
HOME AND AWAY
Carolina is 14-4-6 on the road this season. New York is 13-8-2 at UBS Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
