New York Islanders Fall To The Carolina Hurricanes 5-3, Still In First Place

In the second of a back to back, the New York Islanders fall short today against the Carolina Hurricanes in Nassau Coliseum.

The mood surrounding the New York Islanders during the 2014-15 season has been all about culture.

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General Manager Garth Snow and head coach Jack Capuano possess one of the best hockey players in the world, in John Tavares, and have rolled up their sleeves in attempt to build the right blue collar, tough, skilled and hard working culture within this organization.

It’s the reason they’re still the leaders in the Metropolitan Division with 84 points, second in the Eastern Conference behind Montreal’s 87.

It’s also their hard work which can allow them to sleep somewhat after a such a nondescript loss such as today against the Carolina Hurricanes.

At Nassau Coliseum earlier today, Chad Johnson got the start in goal and the team in front of him did little to allow him to be successful.

3 Stars of the Game:

1. Jay McClement (CAR) – 2 Goals
2. Brad Malone (CAR) – 1 Goal, 1 Assist
3. Johnny Boychuk (NYI) – 1 Assist

Johnson was called on to make 36 saves in the game as the Isles were out-shot an incredible 41-24 in the game.

The familiar calling card that is New York’s fierce and over-working fore-check could not generate the turnovers and offensive zone time production Tavares and the rest of the Isles are used to.

Instead, it was Carolina who controlled the puck most of the game. The Canes seemingly threw everything at the net while earning their 24th win on the season.

Jay McClement earned number one star status with his two goals, one coming on a highly questionable skate deflection which was reviewed in the first period. Justin Faulk, Brad Malone and Michal Jordan each scored second period goals to blow the game wide open.

For the Isles, speedy Michael Grabner opened the scoring around the mid-way point of the first period collecting his seventh goal. From there though, the offense was tough to come by.

It was a late afternoon game for a team who played late last night against Calgary, so a sluggish start was to be expected. At the same time though, the Canes played last night too at Washington, earning a 3-0 win.

The Isles will take the night to relax and throw on their imaginary Philadelphia Flyers jerseys on for just one night, hoping to still be in first place come Sunday morning.

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