Islanders Playoff Odds, Round One Schedule

The New York Islanders are in the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins did their best to put them there, and now the battle-tested Islanders, who whiffed on their first chance to clinch by losing to the Washington Capitals last Monday, get a clean shot at the division-winning Carolina Hurricanes.

If betting straight up isn’t your thing, FanDuel is also into playoff Fantasy Hockey.

The Islanders have more than a puncher’s chance in the series. They have an Ilya Sorokin chance.

The Islanders goalie was not as brilliant this season as last, but he rallied to post nearly identical numbers in 62 starts. If there’s a reason the Islanders are in the playoffs, it’s Sorokin. However, the Islanders were only 1-3-0 against Carolina this season.

Of course, a lot of teams had losing records against Carolina, and it took the Islanders a few months to get their footing (or the Penguins to lose theirs).

And if there’s a reason to think the underdog Islanders, who are a +158 dog in the Round One series, have a chance, it’s Sorokin.

There’s also Bo Horvat.

GM Lou Lamoriello’s prized trade acquisition didn’t always burn the ink on the scoresheet, but his presence in the middle of the Islanders lineup, especially without Mathew Barzal, was invaluable.

However, Barzal’s status for Game 1 is still iffy, even as coach Lane Lambert said he expects him to be ready.

New York Islanders Playoff Odds:

Game 1 winner: +134 Moneyline. -182 Puckline.

Series winner: +158

Conference Winner +2000

Stanley Cup: +5000

Islanders Playoff Schedule:

Monday, April 17: Islanders at Hurricanes

Wednesday, April 19: Islanders at Hurricanes

The remainder will be announced Friday.