The Upshot: NY Islanders Eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5

HOW IT HAPPENED

The NY Islanders 2023-24 season is over after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes 5-3 in Game 5. The Isles couldn't have gotten off to a worse start, falling behind 1:23 into the game after a bad angle shot from Teuvo Teravainen beat Semyon Varlamov. Less than two minutes later the 'Canes extended the lead after a puck deflected off the stick of Robert Bortuzzo, crediting Andrei Svechnikov with his first goal of the series. The Islanders got one back 41 seconds later as Mike Reilly blasted one from the point on the power play. If the start of the game wasn't wacky enough, the 'Canes were given a penalty shot after it was deemed Alexander Romanov covered the puck with his hand in the crease. Evgeny Kuznetsov, who skated as slow as humanly possible topping out at 4 mph, beat Varlamov's poke check to extend the lead back to two.

Brock Nelson and Casey Cizikas scored the only two goals of the second period, tying the game at three. With momentum on their side, the Isles put forth a strong push to start the third, but a broken play which saw the puck jump over the stick of JG Pageau landed on the blade of Jack Drury who buried the shot. Only 8 seconds later the 'Canes extended their lead back to two after the puck took an awkward bounce off the glass to the front of the net where Martin Necas slammed in home. Seth Jarvis added an empty net goal for the final nail in the coffin.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Islanders could have rolled over and died after allowing two early goals, but they fought back and gave themselves an opportunity to win in the third. The Isles found themselves chasing most of the series, frequently battling back but running out of steam in the third period.

WHAT WENT WRONG

If the Islanders didn't have bad luck they'd have no luck at all. They were getting the better of the 'Canes through the first few shifts of the third period but a bouncing puck on Drury's goal seemed to evade multiple Islanders before landing on his blade. The goal eight seconds later from Necas was maybe the most unlucky goal of the season, hitting the perfect spot along the boards, and deflecting right to the front of the net as Varlamov attempted to stop the puck behind the net.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Islanders were outscored 11-1 in the third period in the series

• Game 5 was the only game the Islanders had more power play opportnuites than the Hurricanes

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

This could be the last time we see the all time hits leader in an Islanders sweater

WHAT'S NEXT

This season is over, but the Islanders will begin preparing for next season soon. Day one of the NHL Draft is Friday, June 28, with rounds 2-7 the following day. NHL free agency begins July 1st.