Game Preview: NY Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The NY Islanders take on the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena tonight in the first matchup since the Canes defeated the Isles in game six of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Per Rob Taub on X, the Islanders have not beaten the Canes in the regular season since November 24, 2018.

LAST GAME

The Washington Capitals spent the whole game playing catchup thanks to Ryan Pulock's first goal of the season just 22 seconds into the game. The Islanders doubled their lead midway through the first period, as Simon Holmstrom netted his second of the season off of a beautiful pass by new linemate Hudson Fasching. The two played together in Bridgeport and have been finding chemistry in the Isles lineup. Despite taking the early lead, the Islanders did not have a fantastic defensive game after losing Adam Pelech early in the first period with an apparent lower-body injury. The Islanders' third goal, scored by Brock Nelson to kick off "NovemBROCK," extended the Islander's point streak to five games. Semyon Varlamov garnered his second shutout of the season and second in two games.

The Canes are coming to Long Island after a loss against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. The Hurricanes outshot and outplayed the Rangers all night, but a trip to the penalty box and a few defensive mistakes helped the Rangers come out on top. The Canes had trouble staying out of the box, needing to kill five penalties throughout the game.

HISTORICAL MATCHUP

The last time the Islanders faced the Hurricanes was the fateful game 6 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where the Canes sent the Islanders packing up their dressing room as their season came to an end. The Isles lost game 6 in overtime thanks to a goal by Paul Stasny six minutes into extra time after Derek Stepan forced a turnover off an Adam Pelech failed clearing attempt. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin made 39 saves on 41 shots and played exceptionally all game. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen made 33 saves on 34 shots in his first appearance of the postseason. The 2-1 loss was one of the Isles' best games of the series against the Canes, playing catch up many times during the first five games and struggling to find their scoring touch.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has been hot offensively and has finally improved his defensive game. Dobson has six points in his last nine games and is a +3 on the season. Defenseman Alexander Romanov has also been great defensively, despite having zero points on the season, he has a +4 on the season. Bo Horvat is looking to stay hot with seven points in nine games, including a goal and an assist against Detroit on Monday.

Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen has four goals in his last five games, including a hat trick against the San Jose Sharks on October 27th, recording nine points in 11 games this season. Andersen has been outstanding for the Canes this season, with a 2.87 goals-against average in 5 games. He also has a .894 save percentage.

PROJECTED LINES

Islanders

Anders Lee-Bo Horvat-Mat Barzal
Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Simon Holmstrom-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Alexander Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson
Samuel Bolduc-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Hurricanes

Andrei Svechnikov-Sebastian Aho-Seth Jarvis
Michael Bunting-Jasperi Kotkaniemi-Teuvo Teravainen
Jordan Martinook-Jordan Staal-Jesper Fast
Stefan Noesen-Jack Drury-Martin Necas

Jacob Slavin-Brent Burns
Brady Skjei-Jake Chatfield
Dmitri Orlov-Tony DeAngelo

Frederik Andersen
Antti Raanta