Hoping to continue the momentum built in Monday night's series-opening victory, Carolina didn't wait long to get on the scoreboard tonight.
A dominating shift by the line of Jack Drury, Derek Stepan, and Paul Stastny inside the opening five minutes culminated with a Jaccob Slavin shot redirecting off the stick of Stastny in front and in.
Stastny's 27th career postseason goal put the Canes in front before special teams became the story of the next 35 minutes.
After scoring on the man advantage twice during their victory to start the week, Carolina had an opportunity to double their lead before the end of the first frame on a double-minor for high-sticking on Cazey Cizikas of the Islanders. Unfortunately, the power play looked more like that of the final month of the regular season, unable to convert.
The penalty killers were then tasked with upholding their end of the bargain for their first and only time of the night, but to start the second period, it was more of the same from the home power play.
After Matt Martin laid an ugly hit on Jordan Staal at the buzzer to end the opening 20 minutes, the power play couldn't cash in on their first attempt, but they were able to change their fortune during another double-minor moments later.
Stefan Noesen received some puck luck from New York's Sebastian Aho, extending Carolina's lead to a pair.
