The Carolina Hurricanes rode two quick third period goals to overcome the New York Islanders in game two of the second round 2-1.
While the story of game one was the outstanding play of Petr Mrazek, the story of game two has to be that of Carolina’s backup netminder Curtis McElhinney. Coming into the game after a Mrazek lower-body injury, McElhinney turned away all 17 shots he faced to help propel the Hurricanes to a 2-0 series lead swinging back home.
In quick succession, Carolina forwards Warren Foegele and Nino Niederreiter both found the twine in less than a minute of each other. Niederreiter’s goal is his first of the 2019 playoffs and his fourth-career playoff game-winning goal.
Foegele’s goal was his fifth of the postseason after registering only 10 in 77 regular season games. The rookie has proved to be, in essence, a playoff hero for the Hurricanes with huge performances against the Capitals and now the Islanders.
The increased physicality of game two was immediately apparent as Hurricanes defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk was finished off by Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck along the boards in the first minute of the game. Van Riemsdyk left the ice clutching what seemed to be his left shoulder and he would not return to the game, listed with an upper-body injury.
The Islanders finally beat Mrazek late in the first period on a power play, as forward Mat Barzal got a fortunate break when his cross-crease pass attempt was deflected by the stick of Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin and into the back of the net.
The Hurricanes answered the physical bell with the Isles, but the defensive nature of New York hampered Carolina’s offense. The Canes only managed three shots in the first period despite a power play of its own which didn’t even record a shot on goal.
The Hurricanes power play was again a huge detriment to the team. With over a minute and a half of a 5-on-3, Carolina failed to amount any high-danger chance and wasted away its seventh opportunity of the series.
The second period was dominated by the Islanders whose offensive chances were really piling up. Carolina’s netminders continued their dominant performance to keep the game close and allow the Hurricanes more time to try and find a way to overcome New York’s smothering defensive style.
And they seemed to figure it out right out of the gate in the third period. An indirect pass off the side boards from Carolina forward Lucas Wallmark found his linemate Foegele in stride who had used his speed to get himself separation and let fly a wrister that found its way to the top corner.
Not even a minute later, the Hurricanes took their first lead of the afternoon as Niederreiter deflected the shot from Teuvo Teravainen at the blueline. Niederreiter had been a dynamic force in game one and finally found his way onto the goal column in Brooklyn.
Saku Maenalanen was also injured in the third period after supposedly blocking a shot. He is listed with an upper-body injury and didn’t return to the game.
The Hurricanes killed off another penalty and the final two minutes of a 6-on-5 to seal the victory and take the second of two games in Brooklyn.
The injuries have been stacking up for the Hurricanes since the first round series with Washington and this game took its toll as well. Now down four forwards: Andrei Svechnikov, Micheal Ferland, Jordan Martinook and Maenalanen; and now a defenseman, van Riemsdyk, and a goalie, Mrazek, Carolina will be hoping that those that are close can return, but the team has done well with the next man up mentality.
Game three will head to Raleigh as the Hurricanes hope to continue their perfect postseason home record. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in PNC Arena.
