The second half of a back-to-back for both squads, the two arrived in Raleigh after being on opposite ends of a shutout Saturday. Antti Raanta and the Canes held Montreal without a goal, while the Islanders were held blanked by Tampa Bay.
While offense was at a premium at PNC Arena this afternoon, the trend would not continue for either side.
As has been the case many times in recent games for Carolina, they were the more in-control club for the opening 20 minutes, dominating possession and more than doubling New York in shots. However, the lone goal of the frame came on an opportunity for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who beat Frederik Andersen on the rush to give the Islanders the game's first tally.
On a positive note, it would be the only shot to get by the veteran netminder all evening. Steady and contributing timely saves, Andersen was able to hold down the fort in the second and the third while the Canes' offense continued to chip away.
At the other end of the ice, All-Star Ilya Sorokin made it as difficult as possible for the home team to get on the board. Bouncing back after being pulled last night against the Lightning, the 27-year-old netminder was in a groove and made it look from the get-go that he was going to be tough to beat.
Fortunately for Carolina though, they were able to do so in the second period courtesy of Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Set up by Jesse Puljujarvi, the trade deadline acquisition earned his long-awaited first point with the club in the form of the primary helper.
Part of a penalty-free and brisk-moving middle 20 minutes, the contest quickly advanced to the third with a 1-1 score.
It didn't take long into the frame to find the eventual game-winner though, as Jordan Martinook snapped his 24-game goal drought with a beautifully-placed shot.
