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Eyes On Isles

The Upshot: The Islanders lose control of destiny; fall 2-1 to Carolina Hurricanes

Apr 2, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48)
Apr 2, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) / James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
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HOW IT HAPPENED

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 on the strength of a Jordan Martinook third-period goal at PNC Arena on Sunday. The Isles (39-30-9) took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a Jean-Gabriel Pageau goal off a feed from Pierre Engvall. The Canes tied the game in the second on Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s 15th goal of the season. Frederik Andersen made 21 for Carolina (49-18-9) in the win to extend their lead in the Metropolitan Division. Ilya Sorokin starting on back-to-back nights made 33 saves in the loss.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Another point for Pierre Engvall as the trade deadline acquisition set up JG Pageau for the Islanders' only goal at 17:33 of the first period. Engvall picked up speed through the neutral zone, gained the blue line, pulled in the defenders, and fed the puck to Pageau, who snapped a one-timer over Andersen's glove for the lead.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Islanders offense struggled to muster much for the second straight night. Per Natural Stat Trick, the team only generated four high danger chances at five-on-five and just eight for the game.

Their best chance late in the third period on the power-play as Bo Horvat had the puck - and probably at least a point - on his stick in the slot, but was denied by Frederik Andersen with the blocker. And so it continues to go for Horvat.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, it's only the second time since the All-Star Break that the Isles have lost consecutive games in regulation. Ilya Sorokin lost only once in March but fell to 0-2-0 in April. Carolina is 9-2-2 in the back-half of back-to-back games. The Isles went 1-3-0 against Carolina this season; they are 14-4-2 against the rest of the Metro with two games to play.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

IslesMeetUp groups always show up for road games, but Sunday's game in Raleigh was a convergence of several groups that took up multiple sections at PNC Arena. Well done!

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders have three days off before their next game, which comes at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, April 6th. Face-off from UBS Arena is set for 7:30 PM ET

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