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Eyes On Isles
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NY Islanders battle back twice but familiar problems lead to 5-3 loss to Hurricanes

ByJiggs Westfall
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Nov 5, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) makes a save on a shot on goal attempt from New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (92) in the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Nov 5, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) makes a save on a shot on goal attempt from New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (92) in the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders showed plenty of fight Thursday night, but another sluggish start and an ineffective power play proved costly in a 5-3 loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena.

William Carrier broke a 3-3 tie with 5:08 remaining in regulation, burying a rebound past Semyon Varlamov before Jalen Chatfield added an empty-netter to seal the Isles' second consecutive regulation defeat.

The Islanders (7-6-2) found themselves chasing the game almost immediately. Logan Stankoven scored just 57 seconds into the opening period, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi doubled Carolina's advantage at 3:20.

But the Isles responded with an inspired second period.

Mitchell Chaffee redirected a Matthew Schaefer point shot for his first goal as an Islander before Brayden Schenn delivered a beautiful wraparound to tie the game at two.

Andrei Svechnikov briefly restored Carolina's lead, but rookie Victor Eklund answered with a one-timer from the slot at 17:13, sending the teams into the third period even.

“I liked our game tonight. We deserved a point, probably two,” Schenn said afterward.

Despite the comeback, the Isles' struggling power play remained a glaring problem, finishing 0-for-4 while generating little sustained pressure. The Islanders also struggled to manufacture quality chances in the final period.

Varlamov finished with 34 saves, earning praise from head coach Pete DeBoer.

“I thought he battled his ass off for us tonight,” DeBoer said.

The Islanders' fourth line provided an encouraging spark, while Schenn and Eklund each finished with two points.

Still, moral victories only go so far.

“I thought we did a lot of good things tonight,” captain Bo Horvat said. “It was just a couple of lapses on our part that cost us.”

The Isles will look to rebound Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

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