2023-24 Regular Season, Game 12: Hurricanes at New York Islanders (Postgame)

With another road trip ending, the Carolina Hurricanes needed to find a way to secure two points on Long Island against the New York Islanders. After splitting the first two games against the Flyers and Rangers, the Canes were set to face a tough defensive team led by one of the best goalies in the world. 

Scoring Summary

1st Period

NYI (17:40)- Noah Dobson (3) (assisted by Mathew Barzal (6) & Bo Horvat (4))

2nd Period

NYI (4:11)- Simon Holmstrom (3) SH (assisted by Jean-Gabriel Pageau (4))

NYI (7:46)- Mathew Barzal (2) (assisted by Bo Horvat (5) & Ryan Pulock (2))

CAR (8:18)- Jalen Chatfield (1) (assisted by Jordan Martinook (2) & Jordan Staal (4))

3rd Period

CAR (12:19)-Dmitry Orlov (1) (assisted by Jesperi Kotkaniemi (7) & Andrei Svechnikov (2))

CAR (15:26)- Jesperi Kotkaniemi (5) PP (assisted by Andrei Svechnikov (3))

Overtime

CAR (1:14)- Sebastian Aho (2) (assisted by Martin Necas (6) & Brady Skjei (7))

My Thoughts

You could easily copy and paste the notes from the Philadelphia game on Monday night or the Los Angeles and San Jose games from last season to talk about this game. The Hurricanes are never out of a game, regardless of the deficit they face. In Philadelphia, it was two goals. Even in some of their multi-goal losses early in the season, the Canes got within a goal before the breaks fell off. Tonight, it was a three-goal deficit of their own creation that needed to be overcome. 

Despite this massive hole, the Hurricanes weren't playing a bad game. The first period was arguably the worst of the three tonight for the Canes. While they only allowed one goal, it was a late-period marker that concluded a back-and-forth period with tons of momentum swings. Each team dominated short stretches. Mathew Barzal was especially noticeable. It felt like the puck was on his stick every time the Islanders were in the offensive zone. Eventually, he made a great play during a 4-on-4 to Noah Dobson, who scored the opening goal on the backhand with less than three minutes left. 

The start of the second period felt much stronger for the Canes. They were throwing tons of shots at Ilya Sorokin and drew a power play when Barzal inadvertently swung for the fences at Tony DeAngelo's face. However, a misplay at the blue line by Brent Burns allowed Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Simon Holmstrom to flee the zone on a 2-on-0, with the latter burying the short-handed goal to extend the lead. Barzal struck again a few minutes later, playing give-and-go with Bo Horvat, before elevating a shot over Raanta's glove to make it 3-0, with goals on their first two shots of the period. All it took was one bounce to go their way to get the Hurricanes back into the game. Jalen Chatfield threw the puck at the net from the point, getting a bounce off the pants of Scott Mayfield to finally crack Sorokin 32 seconds after the Barzal goal, shrinking the deficit to two goals. The game stayed 3-1 at the break, but the momentum was firmly on the Canes' side heading into the third. 

The Hurricanes dominated the third period. "Dominated" might be too tame a word. It was an all-out assault on Sorokin's net. Sorokin was up to the challenge early. He made a great blocker save on Andrei Svechnikov as he moved down the far boards. He made an even better save on Jordan Staal from the slot as he moved from left to right to rob the Canes' captain. Like Chatfield's goal, the Canes would get a good bounce to get another shot past Sorokin. With the team transitioning, Jesperi Kotkaniemi fed Dmitry Orlov as he entered the zone. Orlov's shot wasn't the hardest, but it got a fortuitous bounce off the skate of New York's Sebastian Aho as it found the back of the net, giving Orlov his first goal as a Hurricane. 

Just over a minute later, the power play would get a chance to work. After two unsuccessful attempts, it looked like they would fall short a third time. Alas, with one second left, Svechnikov made a great pass from below the goal line to Kotkaniemi, who elevated it into the net to knot things up. The same fans who'd been doing the wave at UBS Arena sat in silence as the clock counted down, sending the festivities into overtime. New York got the better of the play to start the five-minute session. Dobson blistered a shot at the net that Raanta stopped somewhat awkwardly, but it allowed the Hurricanes to finally take possession of the puck. From there, the Hurricanes needed one shot. Martin Necas made a great drop pass to get Sebastian Aho in with speed, and he placed it perfectly through the five-hole of Sorokin to complete the comeback and earn the two points. 

This win could be a big boost for several players. Raanta overcame a tough start, stopping the final 12 shots he faced to help keep the Hurricanes in the game. Orlov's goal could be significant for his confidence after a shaky start to his time as a Hurricane. Svechnikov picked up two assists in the third period in his best game since returning from IR. Aho scored for the first time since the Los Angeles game. The Staal line was excellent, and they were finally rewarded with Chatfield's goal to kickstart the comeback. Kotkaniemi kept his hot start going, taking over the team lead in points with 12.

More importantly, the Hurricanes finished this trip with a winning record, taking four of the six possible points against division opponents. This has been their best stretch of hockey this season, and the results support it. Instead of a 6-6-0 record coming back home, the Canes are sitting at 7-5-0, which is remarkable considering how things looked two weeks ago. 

My Three Stars of the Game

3rd Star- Dmitry Orlov- Goal

Many players could be in this third spot, but Orlov gets it for sticking with his game and finally getting rewarded with a big goal tonight. There has been plenty of scrutiny thrown his way for how his season has started, and rightfully so. Tonight, he played a solid game. 

2nd Star- Andrei Svechnikov- 2 assists

During my pregame notes this morning, I discussed how tonight could be a big night for Svechnikov. He was on fire in the third period. He recorded assists on both goals in the third, including the primary helper on the game-tying goal. Svechnikov is starting to return to form after slowly getting back into a groove following his injury. 

1st Star- Jesperi Kotkaniemi- Goal, Assist

I'm not sure I'd say Kotkaniemi has quietly been great to start the season, but I don't know if he's getting the same amount of shine some of his teammates are getting. Kotkaniemi's two-point third period helped him separate from Jarvis and Necas for the team lead in points as he continues to produce in big spots. 

Up Next- The Hurricanes will have a one-game stay at PNC Arena on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. Then, they'll hit the road again, facing Florida and Tampa Bay on consecutive nights next Friday and Saturday.