The Upshot: NY Islanders Stay Alive Winning 2OT Thriller

HOW IT HAPPENED

All the NY Islanders fans around the world can take a deep sigh of relief (for now) as the team staves off elimination, winning Game 4, 3-2 in 2OT. The Carolina Hurricanes got on the board first on a Seth Jarvis power play goal. The Islanders evened the score in the second off a Mat Barzal seeing-eye goal, hitting the right post, and crossing the goal line. The Islanders took a 2-1 lead in the third, scoring a power play goal of their own off the stick of JG Pageau. The 'Canes knotted things up again on the power play, this time off a Stefan Noesen tip-in. Into the extra frame we went, with neither team able to finish the other off in the first overtime. Just 1:24 into the second OT, Robert Bortuzzo sent a shot towards the goal, deflecting off Barzal for his second of the game and second career OT winner.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Similar to Game 3, the Islanders kept their foot on the pedal for 60 minutes (plus some), putting together a full game effort. Barzal seemed to find his groove tonight, having his best game of the series even without considering his two goals. He was omnipresent with the puck, threatening defenders every time he was on the ice. Pierre Engvall doesn't have the statistics to back up his play, but he's been one of the Islanders' top players, using his speed through the neutral zone and beating out icings on what seems to be every time he's on the ice. Semyon Varlamov was terrific in goal, stopping 42 of 44 shots, coming up big on multiple occasions in OT.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Isles need to stay out of the penalty box if they're hoping for a similar result in Game 5. Both Hurricanes' goals came while on the power play, going 2/4 in Game 4. The 'Canes are now 4/15 on the man advantage and have scored four of their 11 goals while up a man.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Islanders were lights out in the faceoff dot, winning 48/71 drwas (68%)

• Bortuzzo's assist on Barzal's game-winner was his first point since joining the Islanders.

• According to NHL Public Relations, Barzal is the first Islander to record a multi-goal game in a potential elimination game since Mariusz Czerkawski scored twice against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of the first round in 2002.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Barzal is pumped and acknowledges how much the UBS Arena crowd was buzzin' all night.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders look to keep their season alive, heading back to Raleigh for Game 5 on Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 pm.