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New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Betting Preview
The New York Islanders visit the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night in Raleigh for their first meeting of the 2025-26 season. Both teams are trying to snap two-game losing streaks.
The Islanders blew a 2-0 lead in a 5-2 loss at Boston after giving up another advantage in a shootout defeat to Philadelphia. Carolina’s 6-3 loss to Vegas on Tuesday was another example of a team that can’t hold multi-goal leads.
New York, now 4-4-1, sits last in the Metropolitan Division. Carolina, at 6-3-0, is third and unbeaten in division play. Both clubs are looking to stabilize early.
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Line Movement and Odds
Carolina opened around −200 on the moneyline and has moved to −220, while New York is +183. The puck line favors the Hurricanes −1.5 (+114) and Islanders +1.5 (−137). The total sits at 6.5 goals (Over −101 / Under −120).
Public money leans to Carolina, but sharper play has landed on the Islanders’ puck line and the Under. For updated movements, check the NHL previews section before puck drop.
Matchup Breakdown
Islanders outlook: Patrick Roy’s group is scoring early but fading late. Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri have led the attack with early goals, yet defensive lapses keep erasing leads. The Isles rank top-10 in goals scored and mid-pack in shot suppression.
Hurricanes outlook: Rod Brind’Amour’s side continues to press offensively but hasn’t protected third-period leads. Carolina averages over 3.5 goals per game and thrives on forecheck pressure. Home ice at Lenovo Center could tilt the edge toward the Canes.
Compare both teams’ profiles on their official pages: New York Islanders team page and Carolina Hurricanes team page
Injuries and Conditions
Islanders
- Ethan Bear (D) – Out (undisclosed)
- Pierre Engvall (LW) – Out (ankle)
- Alexander Romanov (D) – Out (upper body)
- Maxim Shabanov (C) – Questionable (undisclosed)
- Semyon Varlamov (G) – Out (lower body)
Hurricanes
- William Carrier (LW) – Out (lower body)
- Shayne Gostisbehere (D) – Questionable (lower body)
- Pyotr Kochetkov (G) – Out (undisclosed)
- K’Andre Miller (D) – Questionable (lower body)
- Joel Nystrom (C) – Questionable (face)
Best Bets and Prediction
Recent betting trends show the Hurricanes 3-1 SU as favorites and the Islanders hitting the Over in seven of their last 10. Carolina should control tempo with depth and special-teams strength.
Prediction: Hurricanes 4, Islanders 2
Best Bet: Carolina moneyline (−220)
Secondary Lean: Under 6.5 goals
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