Things Remain Even in the First Period
While Jaccob Slavin would be credited with three goals in the game, he technically played a hand in New York's first goal. A little before the midway point in the first period, Dylan Strome's shot from the right dot deflected off Slavin's stick and between the pads of Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward to open the scoring. The shot was missing wide before grazing off Slavin and into the net.
Slavin would get it right back with just under six minutes left. The rising shot from the point eluded Jean-Francois Berube as he was caught guessing. This was a rare start for the Islanders third-string goalie. One of his six prior starts was against the Hurricanes in early February, a 5-4 overtime victory for the Hurricanes ended by Ron Hainsey's second goal of the game. Ironically, that meeting was also the last time Slavin had scored a goal.
The Hurricanes would grab the lead 26 seconds later on a rebound goal by Joakim Nordstrom. This would be the only goal not scored by Slavin, Justin Faulk, or Jeff Skinner for the Canes. Slavin was credited with the secondary assist on the goal, giving him an early multi-point night. The Islanders would get it back after Stephen Gionta knocked home a rebound at the top of the crease for his first goal of the season to tie the game after 20 minutes.