NY Islanders (32-30-10) at Carolina (44-24-4)
- When: Mar 30 2025, 5:00 PM
- Where: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC, USA
- TV: MSGSN
Islanders vs Hurricanes Preview & Prediction
Moneyline Favorite: Carolina -350 | Total: 5.5 Goals
The Carolina Hurricanes enter Sunday’s matchup as heavy -350 moneyline favorites with the total set at 5.5, aiming to continue their red-hot run when they host the slumping New York Islanders in Raleigh.
Carolina Hurricanes Outlook
Carolina (44-24-4, 92 points) is surging at just the right time. Winners in 10 of their last 12 games, the Hurricanes have flexed their offensive muscle by scoring at least four goals in six of their last seven victories. The team is finding its rhythm, particularly on special teams, with the power play finally clicking.
Taylor Hall has emerged as a key piece during this stretch, registering seven goals in his last 10 games, including three straight contests with a goal. His chemistry on the man advantage has been a major boost for the Canes’ offense. On Friday, Hall notched another tally in a 4-1 win over Montreal, giving him five goals in just the last three games.
Also returning to the lineup is Andrei Svechnikov, who missed seven games with an upper-body injury. He came back Friday and didn’t waste time making an impact, netting an empty-netter and bringing his trademark energy back into the mix.
Expect Pyotr Kochetkov to be between the pipes as part of Carolina’s goalie rotation. While Frederik Andersen is riding a six-game win streak, head coach Rod Brind’Amour has stuck with alternating starts, and Kochetkov already posted a 32-save shutout against the Islanders back in December.
New York Islanders Outlook
The Islanders (32-30-10, 74 points) are slipping at the worst possible time. Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Lightning marked their fourth consecutive defeat and pushed them further down in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Despite a strong third period where they scored three times, the defensive lapses early in the game continued a troubling trend. New York has now allowed at least three goals in five straight games.
Head coach Patrick Roy emphasized the effort is there, but the execution — particularly on finishing scoring chances — continues to fall short. The Isles had plenty of looks against Tampa but couldn’t capitalize until late. Tony DeAngelo, who spent time in Carolina in recent seasons, added a goal in the loss, but it was too little, too late.
With Mathew Barzal still out, and the team needing wins in a hurry, it’s crunch time for the Isles. They’ll need more consistency at both ends of the ice to have any chance of pulling the upset in Raleigh.
Betting Prediction
The Hurricanes are one of the NHL’s hottest teams, especially at home, and they’ve already shut out the Islanders at PNC Arena this season. Carolina is clicking on special teams, playing with pace, and getting production throughout the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Islanders are reeling, struggling to string together a full 60-minute effort and leaking goals at a troubling rate. Unless their offense shows sudden efficiency, it’s hard to back them against a dialed-in Hurricanes squad.
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (-117)
Score Prediction: Hurricanes 4, Islanders 1
Over/Under: Under 5.5 (+100)
Carolina’s defense and goaltending are too stout, and with Hall and Svechnikov firing, expect the Canes to control this one from start to finish.
- NHL Odds source: MYBookie Sportsbook
