While absence would typically make the heart grow fonder, there was no love lost between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders on Saturday night. Meeting for the first time in over five months, the Canes looked to keep building off a 5-1 win on Thursday over the Columbus Blue Jackets, a victory that secured their place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Hurricanes sent Brandon Bussi out to start the back-to-back, keeping the crew around him the same. Bussi was excellent in the team's victory over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Tuesday night. Ilya Sorokin got the start for the Islanders. He was also in the net on Friday night, suffering a 4-1 loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Unlike some of their recent games, the Canes didn't play from in front tonight. Marc Gatcomb took an early penalty, which his team killed. Shortly after coming out of the box, he legally redirected a 3-on-2 off his skate and into the net. The Canes' best line in the first period was their top trio, and they tied it. Seth Jarvis skated in and snapped it under Sorokin's blocker, ensuring a tied score after 20 minutes.
Once again, the Canes had to fight back from down a goal. A breakdown allowed Max Shabanov to get free and bank one off an unsuspecting Bussi at the side of the net. However, the home team took over. Jackson Blake tied it after Logan Stankoven won a battle and made a great pass. Then, Sebastian Aho scored another short-handed goal, putting the Canes ahead by one after two periods.
The top line refused to settle for a one-goal lead. Just 24 seconds into the frame, Andrei Svechnikov found Jarvis for a bar-down snipe, extending the lead to two. The Islanders played their best hockey in the third, and Bussi was tasked with making a few massive stops. Anders Lee got one with the goalie pulled to get within one, but the Canes held on to earn another two points in a 4-3 win.
The top line started on time and it showed on the scoresheet
The very first shift of the night saw the Aho line spend a ton of time in the offensive zone. They were in there so long that they got a line change in as the Staal line took over. This would be very indicative of how that line would play tonight. They scored in each period, combining for three goals and five points to lead a dominant effort.
Seth Jarvis led the way. He scored a big response goal in the first period. He made a little more magic with Sebastian Aho short-handed, with Jaccob Slavin deserving a ton of credit, too. Andrei Svechnikov's big moment of the night was his pass to Jarvis in the opening minute of the third, getting Jarvis his second goal and third point of the contest.
The Hurricanes matched New York's physicality in the second period
The Islanders tried to assert themselves physically in the second half of a back-to-back, with Scott Mayfield playing a big part in that. It didn't come as much of a surprise, given what the Islanders are playing for, but it was very noticeable. In the second period, the Canes answered the bell and laid a few huge hits to turn the game in their favor.
William Carrier was a big part of that. His hit on Marc Gatcomb in the corner got the building rocking as he turned his world upside down. Carrier led all skaters tonight with six hits. Logan Stankoven's physical play against Mayfield was a big part of Jackson Blake's goal. He bumped the towering defenseman off the puck, winning a battle to find Blake for the tying tally.
Will Carrier hammers Marc Gatcomb. 🔨 pic.twitter.com/mSmRwkTHIT
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 5, 2026
Additional Thoughts
The power play has gotten a lot of shine, and rightfully so, but the penalty kill has been very big lately. Not only are they killing penalties, but they're scoring goals, too. Tonight was their third straight game with a short-handed tally, assuming the league lead with their 12th of the season. It was a pretty goal at that, not that it matters much.
Brandon Bussi was not tested a lot, seeing just six shots through two periods. However, when called upon in the third period, Bussi was outstanding. He made a huge stop on Jean-Gabriel Pageau midway through the third, and he stood on his head in the final seconds, stopping three shots after New York pulled within one. I didn't love the second goal that he allowed. Otherwise, I have no issues.
Up Next: The Carolina Hurricanes do it all again tomorrow on Easter Sunday. They'll be in Ottawa to face a Senators team in a very similar boat as the Islanders, barely holding onto a playoff spot. The final home game of the regular season comes on Tuesday night with the Boston Bruins in town. The Canes close the campaign on a four-game road trip, beginning on Thursday in Chicago.