ELMONT, NY — The New York Islanders hosted the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday at UBS Arena, opening the clubs four-game season series. The Isles were looking for some much needed in-division points, and the Isles got them, winning 4-3 in regulation at UBS Arena.
Pyotr Kochetkov got the start for the Canes, while Ilya Sorokin manned the net for Islanders.
© John Jones-Imagn Images
Early on, the Islanders were awarded two power plays, as Jalen Chatfield hooked Brock Nelson at 6:21 of the first, and then Jack Drury was called for tripping Kyle Palmeri at 9:15.
Both were killed, leaving the Isles 0-2 with the man advantage.
At 14:37, Scott Mayfield was called for interference, getting in the way of Andrei Svechnikov, and the Hurricanes made the Islanders pay as Svechnikov scored his 10th goal of the season on the ensuing power play, with assists going to Sebastian Aho and Shayne Gostisbehere:
Jackson Blake, the son of former Islanders forward Jason Blake, then drew another penalty, giving Carolina the man advantage, as Ryan Pulock went off for tripping at 18:43.
The period expired with the Canes’ power play carrying over to the second, while the Islanders lead in shots 11–10, but behind on the scoreboard 1–0.
The second stanza opened with the Islanders S successfully killing the rest of the Pulock penalty.
6:05 into the second, Noah Dobson jumped into the play and helped start a gorgeous goal, scored by J.P. Pageau. Dobson and Max Tsyplakov picked up assists, tying the score 1-1.
7:50 into the period, Anders Lee was called for high-sticking Martin Necas, although after replays, no high stick occurred.
Svechnikov made the Islanders pay once again, scoring Carolina’s second power-play goal of the night, giving them a 2-1 lead 9:23 into the second.
However, only 43 seconds later, Oliver Wahlstrom scored the equalizer at 10:06 of the second
The goal was Wahlstrom’s second of the season and was unassisted.
Then, with 3:44 left in the period, Tsyplakov showed his skill, firing a shot, obtaining and re-shuffling the rebound state-to-stick again — then to the back of the net, giving the Islanders a 3-2 lead:
Then, with 1:05 remaining, Pageau found himself entering the Carolina zone with some space, and on the right side, Bo Horvat found even more space. Pageau threaded the needle, and Horvat buried the Islanders’ fourth goal of the period, handing the home team a 4-2 lead.
The goal was Horvat’s first in 14 games, and after two periods, the Islanders led in shots, 23–12, and blocked shots, 23–5.
Related: Islanders Bo Horvat Snaps 13-Game Goal Drought & Celebrates Accordingly
Up two goals in the third period is something the Islanders have not been comfortable with this season — something surely on the mind of Patrick Roy’s club.
Carolina came out strong, jumping out to a 5-1 shot advantage, but the Isles hung tight and maintained their lead.
Then with 7:06 remaining Lee chased a loose puck in the Carolina zone and collided with Hurricanes goalie Kochetkov. Strangely, both players were called for interference on the teams played for aside for the next two minutes.
With open ice, Carolina gained a two-on-one, however, Sorokin stopped Necas’ one-timer, keeping a two-goal cushion for the Islanders.
Teams went back to five aside, and the Hurricanes continued their push.
With 3:20 remaining, Carolina pulled their goalie, then took a timeout with 2:25 remaining — and the Islanders holding on to a 4-2 lead.
Sorokin robbed Svechnikov with just over two minutes to play.
But with 47.8 to play, Carolina made it 4-3 as Jesperi Kotkaniemi tucked home a loose puck to the side of Sorokin.
Kotkaniemi would have one more chance, but Sorokin stopped him at the buzzer, giving the Islanders a massive two points and a 4-3 win.
The Islanders travel to Ottawa to face the Senators Sunday at 5 PM.
