New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 12/23/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Bally Sports South

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (+150) Hurricanes (-186)

PNC Arena is the site where the Carolina Hurricanes (17-12-4) will take on the New York Islanders (15-8-9) on Saturday. The line on this contest has the Islanders at +150 while the Hurricanes are coming in at -186. The over/under has been set at 7.

The New York Islanders were on the losing side of the ice with a 3-2 defeat to the Capitals in their previous game. New York tallied 6 minutes in the box in this game. The Islanders didn't have their best offensive outing in the defeat. In addition, they had 3 power play opportunities but weren't able to score. In the game, they converted 2 out of the 32 shots they put on net.

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New York Islanders opponents have earned 96 power play opportunities (24th in professional hockey) and have earned 27 goals in those chances. The Islanders thus far have had 1,138 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .911. New York has taken 964 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.2%. When playing at even strength, the Islanders have allowed 74 goals while scoring 75 on the offensive side of the ice. New York has 90 power play chances and they have scored 23 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 25.56%. For the current campaign, they have accumulated 39 points and their points percentage is sitting at .609. Regarding scoring goals, the New York Islanders have earned 98 goals (19th in hockey) so far this season and have allowed 101.

The man in net for this game is Ilya Sorokin. Opponents have scored 371 goals against Sorokin in his pro career and his goals against average is 2.43. Sorokin has played in 156 matchups over the course of his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .922 in his 9,154 minutes guarding the cage. He has earned a record of 79-50-25 and he was named the starter in 153 games. Over the course of his time in hockey, Sorokin has 106 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .693. Sorokin has seen 4,770 shots taken against him and has garnered 4,399 saves.

In their last contest, Carolina faced the Penguins in a game where the Hurricanes got the tie by a tally of 1-1. They had 2 power play opportunities in this one but weren't able to notch a goal. The Hurricanes notched 1 goal out of the 24 shots on goal they attempted.

The Hurricanes have accumulated 80 goals at even strength and 26 goals (9th in hockey) while on the power play. Carolina has attempted 1,113 shots (1st in the league) and has a shot percentage of 9.52%, while allowing the other team 843 shots. Over the course of the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned a total of 106 goals, 38 points, in addition to a points percentage of .576. They have allowed 103 goals to be scored by way of 84 goals at even strength and 19 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a tally of 111 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 23.42%. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 82.24% on their opponents 107 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is 87.8%.

For the opposition you are going to see Pyotr Kochetkov between the pipes. Kochetkov has a lifetime mark of 22-13-8 and has played in 44 games. Kochetkov's quality start percentage is 60.0% and he has 24 quality starts in his pro career. He is sitting with 974 saves out of the 1,076 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .905. The opposition is averaging 2.47 goals per game and he has surrendered 102 goals altogether. He has made the start in 40 contests and has played for a total of 2,477 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Carolina (-186)

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