Via NHL.com

Tonight the season for the New York Islanders is on the line as they travel back to Carolina for their game five battle with the Hurricanes. Puck-drop between the two sides is all set for 7:00 p.m. EST from PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

The Islanders enter this game on the brink of elimination. They hobbled their way into the postseason and they just haven’t been able to put the Hurricanes away. They keep game one and two close before dropping them and then got back into the series with a dominant game three win. However, they faltered in game four and now are fighting for their lives. If they want their season to extend, they will need to start on the defensive side of the ice. If they can shut down passing lanes for the Hurricanes and force them into bad shots then this series has a chance to head back to New York for a game six.

As for the Hurricanes, they smell blood in the water and need to cut the head off before it’s too late. Whenever a team has a chance to eliminate another, it’s best to do so early on so hope doesn’t set in. It’s not that Carolina can’t win in New York but playing more games early in the playoffs is never a good thing. Carolina has been one of the more dominant teams at home this season so they can use their rowdy crowd for help to put the Islanders to bed. If they play their game, then the Hurricanes should come out with a win.

Game Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes 5, New York Islanders 2

I like the Hurricanes to very easily put this series away tonight at home as they take down New York and advance to the next round.

Odds Presented By Betfred Sportsbook 

Spread – New York Islanders +1.5 (-215) / Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline – New York Islanders +135 / Carolina Hurricanes -160

Total – 5.5 – Over (+125) / Under (-145)

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