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NHL Predictions: December 7 with Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders

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Welcome to another exciting edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the team here at Last Word on Hockey will analyze the NHL’s biggest games to give you the scoop on what elements and factors could change any given game. Today, we are diving into the matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders. Be sure to check out our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.

NHL Predictions

Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders

Time: 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

TV: FDSNSO, MSGSN, ESPN+

The Carolina Hurricanes are taking a trip north to Long Island to faceoff against the New York Islanders in a Metropolitan Division matchup. This will be the teams’ first meeting since the first round of last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, where the Canes took the round in the fifth game.

The Islanders’ Story

Starting off this set of NHL Predictions, let’s begin with the Isles. It has been a tough first quarter of the season for the New York Islanders. With 27 games played already, they remain in the single digits for wins. Furthermore, they have suffered 11 regulation losses and seven overtime losses. Sitting in the Metropolitan Division’s basement, they have acquired just 25 points. It is a far cry from where they were at this point last season – sitting in a cool second place in the Metro with 33 points.

The Isles’ Previous Game

Their last game against the Seattle Kraken was a tough one for the team and the fans. In the first two periods, the Kraken struck with four goals on only 13 shots. Ilya Sorokin was pulled from the pipes at the third period’s start with Marcus Hogberg entering the red frame in relief – where he made saves on all 11 shots faced. Sorokin managed a save percentage of .692%, marking the worst 40 minutes of his career. The final 10 minutes of the game saw a goal from Noah Dobson and Maxim Tsyplakov for their second and fourth of the season, respectively. However, Jaden Schwartz came right back less than two minutes later to seal the deal with an empty net goal. The game ended with a 5-2 pill for the battered Islanders to swallow as they were booed off the ice by their own fans.

The Islanders are 2-5-3 in their last 10 games, including a shutout last Saturday against their state neighbours, the Buffalo Sabres. “There are no moral victories in this game,” Head Coach Patrick Roy told the press following Thursday’s loss against the Seattle Kraken, “So we have to come back against Carolina on Saturday and be ready for that game.” Though it was a tough loss, it could be just what the Islanders needed to get cranked up into second gear for the next leg of the season.

The Hurricanes Story

The Islanders weren’t the only ones to get Krak’d by Seattle recently. In the Kraken’s game prior to the Isles, they played the Canes. However, it wasn’t without its controversy, as well. 10 minutes into the third period, Jack Drury buried the puck from a sharp-angled shot to give the Canes the go-ahead goal for the first time of the night. However, shortly after, the Kraken challenged it for goaltender interference – and ultimately succeeded in their attempt to overturn the goal. Afterwards, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev both managed a goal to take a 4-2 victory against the Canes.

The Canes’ Previous Game

For the game against the Colorado Avalanche, the expectations weren’t the highest considering the past three games and the strength of the opposing team. Less than 10 minutes in, Artturi Lehkonen wristed a shot past Pyotr Kochetkov for the first goal of the game. A few minutes later, the Canes answered as Eric Robinson tipped in a shot from the point by Brent Burns. It was the first goal that the Avs’ latest hire, Scott Wedgewood, had faced with the team – still rocking his Nashville Predators pads. As the first period came to a close, the Canes were seeing a return to form, having fired 15 shots. In the entirety of their game against the Seattle Kraken, they had only fired 19 total.

The Canes dominated the second period. Seth Jarvis netted his 4th power play goal of the season and Jack Roslovic notched his 13th natural goal of the season. The third frame was a bit slower at first, but nearly three quarters through, Valeri Nichushkin brought the game within a goal. Shortly after Martin Nečas lit it up with his seventh power play goal of the season, 14th total. Afterward, the Avs pulled Wedgewood to get a sixth skater on the ice. Nichushkin scored once more to get it within a goal again. Soon after, the Canes moved the puck up the ice and Andrei Svechnikov put it in the empty net for his ninth of the season, wrapping the game up with a nice bow.

During the game, Nečas logged two points to make him the quickest player in Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise history to reach 40 points in a season. Furthermore, Svechnikov achieved his first four-point game in his NHL career, assisting on all Canes goals from the second period onward and scoring the final goal himself.

NHL Predictions Featuring the Carolina Hurricanes at the New York Islanders

There isn’t much way to cut this that would be in favour of the Islanders. This season has been brutal for the Isles. Earlier in the season, they lost Anthony Duclair, Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech, and Mike Reilly to injury or condition. They’ve been trying to hold on, but are currently only averaging 2.48 goals-for per game. Their save percentage in the crease has been pretty well, one point above the league average at .895%. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes have had one of their best starts in years, excelling in most statistics. It will be a tough game for the Isles, but with the tough loss they just faced against the Kraken, there is a chance it could fuel a comeback to their season.

Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-2

Your Prop Bets of the Night

The over/under at 6.0 goals, with under being the favourite, per Bet365. For anytime goalscorers, a great consideration would be anytime goals from Jack Roslovic (+300) and Anders Lee (+240). Meanwhile, for points, Andrei Svechnikov (-190) would probably be a relatively safe choice considering the night he had on Tuesday. For a bigger gamble with a higher return, a point from Jean-Gabriel Pageau (+175) could be a good choice. Pageau has had a point drought here lately and typically has decent point production. It’s prime time for him to return to form.

Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Main Photo: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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