NEW YORK ISLANDERS @ CAROLINA HURRICANES
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 7:00PM US
(12:00AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

I did a writeup on Carolina v Winnipeg about a week ago and that game flew under, finishing 2-1 to the Hurricanes, and I feel the same reasons are valid here to take another punt on the Under.

Carolina continue to struggle to score goals, but are lucky as they have a goaltender that does not let in a boatload either. Carolina's last 5 games have all gone Under. In those 5 games, they have scored just 8 goals. Cam Ward, their goalie, has given up no more than 2 goals in any of his last 9 games...and in their last 4 he has given up just 4 combined.

New York have beaten Carolina this season, winning 2-1 on home ice and it looks like it will be another tight game here, as the Islanders aren't scoring a bunch away from home, just 2.09 on average when in the role of visitor.

Another great stat that helps here is the PowerPlay. Neither of these teams is giving up goals when shorthanded, as opponents of Carolina have not scored against them on the PowerPlay in 8 games, and New York have gone 7 games without giving up a goal when a man short.

BETTING VERDICT

The 2 games already played by these two have both gone past the regulation 3 periods, and even as far as a shootout. I reckon this will be another battle, with a low-scoring finish. Under.

The Pick :

Under 5.5 goals

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Under 5.5 goals @ 1.83 (Pinnacle)