Carolina Hurricanes vs New York Islanders Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 04/14/26

The New York Islanders’ decision to fire Patrick Roy with 4 games remaining in the season didn’t work as planned. Management felt like bringing in Pete DeBoer could give the team a bump that would lead to a 4-game winning streak to end the season and put them in the best position to make the playoffs. However, back-to-back losses to the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens have left them searching for answers as they enter the offseason after being buyers at the trade deadline.

The Carolina Hurricanes now have the first seed in the Eastern Conference secured, giving them home-ice advantage through the first three rounds if they make it that far. They could also guarantee home ice in the Stanley Cup Finals against any team other than the Colorado Avalanche with a win on Tuesday. It has quietly been a great season for the Hurricanes, and despite some playoff shortcomings in the past, Rod Brind’Amour feels that this year’s team might have what it takes.

Brind’Amour decided to value resting down the stretch once first in the Metropolitan Division was secure. Still, his minor leaguers and usual scratches picked up some massive wins over the past week. The Hurricanes nearly knocked off the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, with a few regulars out of the lineup, which would have put the Eastern Conference playoff picture in doubt over the final few nights, but fell 3-2 in the shootout, clinching a spot for the Flyers.

While the rosters for this game are still unknown, this feels like a spot where Brind’Amour ices his playoff lineup for one final tune-up before it all starts on Saturday. One question is whether the recall of Pyotr Kochetkov signals that he will get a surprising start after recovering from hip surgery much earlier than his timeline suggested, which would make me feel much less comfortable with a rusty goalie. Nevertheless, the Islanders can’t be too thrilled to have to play one more game after watching their playoff chances slip away, while the Hurricanes are in preparation mode for what they hope is finally a breakthrough this spring.

Hurricanes vs Islanders prediction: Hurricanes ML (+100) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number. 

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