NHL Betting Picks for Tuesday 4/30/24: Will the Hurricanes Close Out the Islanders?

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Multiple series could potentially end today as the Stanley Cup Playoffs give us an exciting four-game slate.

Whether it's moneylines or total goals, there are plenty of ways to bet on the NHL action all season. It's a long 82-game campaign, meaning that the best selections of each night can be very different based on backup goalies coming into play, injuries that add up, and if teams are due for positive or negative swings.

Let's dive into the best bets for tonight.

Note: Lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published. All NHL betting odds and totals are from the NHL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All advanced statistics are used from MoneyPuck.com and NaturalStatTrick.com.

NHL Best Bets

New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes

Hurricanes -1.5 (+115)

The Carolina Hurricanes can close out the series tonight against the New York Islanders, and I'm confident that's exactly what they do.

Carolina took care of business in the first three games of the series before the Islanders were able to get their first win of the series in double-overtime in Game 4, winning 3-2. Consider that the Islanders barely survived that one, and I think the Hurricanes are going to make sure they don't have to play any longer in the first round.

In the first two games of the series, the Hurricanes outscored the Islanders 8-4 while going up 2-0 on home ice. That's why taking the Hurricanes to cover at +115 odds makes sense in my eyes.

Ultimately, the Hurricanes have been the most dominant playoff team so far. They have a 77.60 Corsi for per 60 minutes (CF/60) in five-on-five situations -- the best in the playoffs. The Islanders can't say they've been anywhere near as dominant on the offensive end, as the Hurricanes have held them to a CF/60 in five-on-five situations.

While the Hurricanes have scored just 2.98 goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60), their expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) comes out to 3.39, and that's what I am banking on tonight.

It's time for Carolina to move on by getting the job done in Game 5 against the Islanders.

Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks

Canucks ML (-125)

After what went down in Game 4, it's hard to have any trust in the Nashville Predators after a demoralizing loss, so let's roll with the Vancouver Canucks to win tonight as they return to home ice.

The Predators watched their 3-1 lead disappear in the final three minutes of Game 4. That led them to overtime, where the Canucks completed their comeback, ending the Predators' chances of returning to Vancouver in a series tie.

There are two ways to look at how the Preds may react to this type of loss, but it's hard to be confident in a team that tossed away a late lead like that. Nashville experienced a heartbreaking loss, and it's not as if they've outplayed Vancouver to have any confidence in overcoming that brutal defeat.

Through the two home games, the Canucks have absolutely owned the Predators. They posted a 69.50 CF/60 in those games while their defense held the Islanders in check with a 43.00 Corsi against per 60 minutes (CA/60).

It's hard to doubt the Canucks at home, especially with the momentum they have after their mircale Game 4 win, so roll with them tonight to close it out tonight.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.