Carolina Hurricanes: Takeaways from Round 2 SWEEP of New York Islanders

1st Period:

Right out of the gates, the Carolina Hurricanes seemed to look flat, if we’re being honest. The New York Islanders were always going to start that game from a place of desperation, and it seemed like the Hurricanes weren’t ready to match that.

After Andrei Svechnikov took an early penalty in the first few minutes of the game, Matthew Barzal of the New York Islanders converted on the ensuing powerplay, bringing the Islanders to an early one goal lead.

The Hurricanes, ignited by a need to finish the Islanders off, answered in true Carolina fashion; quick, fast, and in a hurry. Sebastian Aho was able to convert on the Hurricanes first powerplay of the game, and tied it up at 1 goal per side.

The first period would remain deadlocked, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Robin Lehner (who was eventually pulled and replaced with Thomas Greiss; more on that later) and Curtis McElhinney came up with some brilliant stops to keep the game even, finishing up the period with the Islanders taking advantage in the shot column, 10-5.

2nd Period:

The Carolina Hurricanes absolutely demolished the Islanders in the 2nd Period from start to finish. The Hurricanes came firing on all cylinders right of the gates, outskating, outshooting, and outscoring the Islanders at every step.

The Hurricanes seemed to beat the Islanders to almost every loose puck, and the Islanders began to stumble. Their once highly-touted game of ‘rope-a-dope’ that helped them sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 was being shoved right back in their faces, and they had absolutely no answer for it.

Both Teuvo Teravainen and Greg McKegg would score earlier on in the period. McKegg’s goal was not only his first of the playoffs, but would go on to be the game-winning goal, and was a brilliant unassisted play right in front of the net to dish it past Robin Lehner.

Having made 8 saves on 11 shots in the game, Islanders’ Head Coach Barry Trotz made the decision to pull Lehner in favor of Thomas Greiss, who previously had the Hurricanes’ number in the regular season.

Justin Williams would make sure Greiss experienced Carolina Hockey as he skillfully notched his 100th career playoff point on a pass from Jordan Staal to bring the score to 4-1 in favor of the Hurricanes. The shot totals would swing back into the Hurricanes’ favor, ending at 11-6 for the period.

By this point, the Islanders were too deep in the hole and the rout was on.

3rd Period:

By the time the 3rd Period came around, the New York Islanders were reeling, and the PNC Arena was absolutely buzzing. With a franchise record crowd of 19,495 (19,496 if you include Hamilton the Pig) in the PNC Arena to cheer the Hurricanes on to victory, the Islanders were just unable to recover.

Andrei Svechnikov would score his 3rd goal of the playoffs in just his second game back after missing quite a few games while undergoing the NHL’s concussion protocol. The PNC Arena absolutely exploded the second Svechnikov’s shot crossed the goal line.

The Islanders would managed to net just one more goal in the game when Brock Nelson managed to sneak one by Curtis McElhinney. This goal came under the incessant chanting of the crowd in the form of “SWEEP!, SWEEP!, SWEEP!”, and would ultimately not help the Islanders mount any sort of comeback. The shot totals at the end of the game were 28-21 in favor of the Hurricanes.

More from Cardiac Cane

• 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase: Takeaways from the Canes’ Strong Showing in Florida
• Week Two Coverage Of College Hockey In NC
• Derek Stepan Ends His On Ice Career As A Hurricane
• The Southeast Rookie Showcase Will Be a Good Look at Carolina’s Future
• Noesen Ready To Provide Depth For Canes

Well, Caniacs. Here we are, yet again. The Eastern Conference Finals, for the first time in 10 years. With quite a few days of rest ahead, the Carolina Hurricanes are going to face the victor of the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets series. For now it doesn’t matter which of the two we will take on. Either way this team will be prepared.

The Carolina Hurricanes have swept the New York Islanders in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they aren’t done yet. Regardless of the outcome, regardless of the opponent, the Hurricanes are going to battle and are not going to exit the playoffs without a fight. The Carolina Hurricanes are back, and it is time for those who are still in doubt to Take Warning.

Question for CC Readers: Who would you rather see the Hurricanes face in the Eastern Conference Finals: the Boston Bruins, or the Columbus Blue Jackets?