(Raleigh) The value of several lessons learned in the playoffs over the past few years was on display for the Carolina Hurricanes, who turned a significant deficit into a memorable comeback.
It was a sign that the experience of the team’s veterans – a veteran core that made the playoffs for a sixth straight year or won the Stanley Cup elsewhere in the NHL – was also vital. than talent and depth.
This was the case on Monday, during a 5-3 victory at the expense of the New York Islanders. The Hurricanes erased a three-goal deficit and took a 2-0 lead in this first round series.
“You have to take the time to think about these kinds of things because they’re special, aren’t they?” How often do we see a match like this when the stakes are so high? But it’s difficult because we always take the next step,” said Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour.
The next step will be to prevent the Islanders from regaining momentum as the series moves north for Game 3 on Thursday.
After working hard to win the first game, the Hurricanes fell behind 3-0 early in the second period although the Islanders needed more than 13 minutes before getting their first shot on net.
The North Carolina formation, however, continued to attack. She hit the post a few times and lost defender Brett Pesce, but she remained calm.
“These are the series. It’s not easy and every game will be difficult, said Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal. There will be frustration. You have to try to absorb it. I thought we did a good job of sticking to our game plan. »
Sebastian Aho tied the game with 2:15 remaining. Then, Jordan Martinook beat Semyon Varlamov just nine seconds later, making them the two fastest goals in Hurricanes playoff history.
Jake Guentzel completed the scoring into an empty net against the Islanders, a team that was 81-0 in the playoffs when leading by three or more goals.
Young forward Seth Jarvis gave credit to the veterans, who made sure the players kept their composure. Notably defenseman Dmitry Orlov and forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, who won the Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals in 2018, as well as Guentzel, who lifted the precious trophy with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.
The Hurricanes outshot the Islanders 39-12, including 17-1 in the third period, and 110-28 in shots attempted.
“I thought we did a good job of staying calm, but we weren’t able to stop their plays,” noted Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock. When it keeps going, things happen and they keep the momentum going. »