To kick off the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Islanders visit North Carolina and play the Hurricanes. The Canes clinched the division last week and now have the advantage of home ice while the Isles narrowly got the wild card spot for the Eastern conference with some help from the Pens. Game 1 begins on Monday at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC.
One good news the Islanders have is that Matt Barzal is expected to be back for Monday’s game. He’ll probably be limited and not get his usual ice time but I’m sure he’ll still be influential. It’s pretty obvious what I’m going to say next but I’m just putting it out there. The Islanders need goals. In a best of seven game series, Sorokin is not going to win them 4 games. He might win a couple but he’ll need help from his colleagues. Goals have been a problem this year for the Isles and they need to change that soon. If they can create chances and just be a lurking threat to the Canes netminder, it’ll quiet down the Caniacs and give the Isles more of a chance. How good the Islanders offense is going to determine this series for them. Playing the Canes in the 1st Round will be tough, but the New York Islanders have enough talent to pull off the upset.
Last year, the Hurricanes were 7-1 at home in the playoffs. That’s how good they’re fans are. But something else that stuck out to me is that the Hurricanes were also winless on the road. They went 0-6 away from PNC Arena and that ended up costing them last season. Their goals allowed amount skyrocketed when they weren’t at home in the playoffs which really goes to show how crucial home ice is. Carolina has to win games away this year. The teams are only going to get tougher down the stretch and if they still have that inability to not win at home, others are going to make Carolina pay. Something I’ve watched in hockey is that on the road, you need to tighten up as a team. You want the home fans to see a boring game so they can’t get involved and get loud. I really like the Hurricanes defenseman and I think they could be a big part of this series. If the Canes can score 4+ goals in some games, it could really make the Isles uncomfortable and stretch out the game which would make Carolina have the advantage. After last year’s heartbreak, I’m sure the Canes and Caniacs will be even hungrier to bring a Stanley Cup to Raleigh. Game 1 is available to watch on ESPN2 at 7:00 PM EST.
My prediction for Game 1 is 4-2 Carolina wins. My series prediction is 4-1, the Hurricanes win the series. The Canes are a powerhouse and they know how to play playoff hockey. New York is a good team to start with because I think the Canes can win on the road at UBS Arena and finally break the losing streak. Game 1 is available to watch on ESPN2 at 7:00 PM EST.
After a thrilling regular season, we are in the business end of the NHL season. Can the New York Islanders pull off an upset against their division rivals or will the division champs, the Hurricanes, ease past Long Island’s hockey team? We’ll find out on April 17th from North Carolina.
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