Hurricanes 5*, Islanders 2 (*EN): It hasn’t been clicking so far

The Hurricanes are a great team, and we knew that coming in. They greatly exposed the Islanders’ weaknesses in the playoffs and the Islanders didn’t do much to address those weaknesses this summer. Which might not have necessarily foreshadowed the result of this game, but it in fact did. This game played eerily similarly to Game 4 last year, don’t know if anyone else noticed that.

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More First Period Sleepiness

The Islanders have played four games of hockey this season; they have been asleep at the wheel in all four first periods they have participated in. They fell behind to the Hurricanes in short order: their speed will make you pay.

Dougie Hamilton and Teuvo Teravainen broke out on a two-on-one against Ryan Pulock, whose slide was ineffective. Once Pulock was done, Hamilton pulled back and fed Teravainen, who beat Thomas Greiss easily.

Brocktober Is Back, Baby

The Islanders got their first power play a little less than halfway through the first and it would be the highlight of their period. They won the first face-off after going man up and some quick puck movement led to Brock Nelson’s second goal of the season.

The Islanders remained tied with the ‘Canes for six minutes, until Carolina’s first period dominance reasserted itself. Defenseman Brett Pesce got on the scoreboard this time to give the Hurricanes back a 2-1 lead to end the first.

Better Second, But Some Not Great Breaks and Defense

The Islanders came out flying to start the second, thanks in part to a man advantage that carried over from the end of the first. Time on it was set to expire before a loose puck bounced out to Johnny Boychuk, who fired a patented cannon past Petr Mrazek to tie things back up. His celebration was all-world.

Unfortunately, though, the Hurricanes would pile on two more goals before the period ended: one for Erik Haula and one for Dougie Hamilton.

Unable to Generate in the Third, Again

The Islanders weren’t able to really get anything going in the third period, similar to their previous three losses. The Hurricanes are a good team, though, and know how to lock it down when they go late into the game with a lead.

Thoughts and Such

• Tonight was better than the other night, but that’s not necessarily saying much. Carolina is a good team, though, and they are now 5-0-0 on the season. The Isles, meanwhile, drop to 1-3-0.
• We could really use some pop up front right about now.
• The structure from last season really hasn’t been there in 10 of 12 periods of hockey so far, which is mildly concerning.

Up Next

Back at it tomorrow night at home against the Panthers.