4.25.23 Recap

RALEIGH, NC. -The New York Islanders staved off elimination on Tuesday, with errors being the downfall of the Carolina Hurricanes in a 3-2 Game 5 loss.

The Story

Returning to home ice after splitting the weekend on Long Island, the Canes came into the night with a chance to end the series.
Turning to Antti Raanta in net for a fifth consecutive game, it was an unfortunately familiar story for "Father Finn" and the home side after 20 minutes of play. Carolina was undisputedly the better team, but New York had the only goal on the board.
A miscue in the Canes' defensive end allowed Islanders forward Pierre Engvall to wind up all alone in front of Raanta, giving the Islanders their first lead after one period of play in 24 playoff games.
The lead almost was not though, as Stefan Noesen did find the back of the net for Carolina late in the first on a power play. But, a successful offside challenge by Isles head coach Lane Lambert sent the game to the middle 20 with its 1-0 score.
In the second, the visitors doubled their lead by way of a series of unfortunate events for the Metropolitan Division champions. A shot from the high slot by New York was going wide, but hit Sebastian Aho in the face, leaving a rebound for Brock Nelson to swat home out of mid-air. To add insult to injury, Aho needed to head down the tunnel with the Canes' medical staff, missing a few minutes of action.
Combine the above incident with a pair of hit posts, the overturned goal, and a broken stick on a quality chance for Martin Necas, and it just started to feel like it wasn't Carolina's night.
However, they'd change that narrative, at least momentarily.
A Jalen Chatfield shot from the point was redirected in front by Paul Stastny, bringing Carolina within one and reigniting the PNC Arena crowd.

NYI@CAR, Gm5: Stastny tips it in to score in the 2nd

With the wind in their metaphorical sails, it looked as if Carolina was going to take the momentum into the third only trailing by one.
Mat Barzal had other plans.
During four-on-four play with under two minutes to go in the middle frame, New York's #13 stripped Martin Necas at the attacking blue line, setting up a two-on-one for his team. Barzal would call his own number, firing and beating Raanta to reinstate his team's two-goal lead.
Completly halting the snowball that had been rolling downhill for Carolina, the crew was then forced to find a way to create two goals in the third. They'd find one, but not two.
After returning with a few stitches and at least one fat lip, Aho pumped some life back into his club.
Extending his newly-established franchise record with his 21st postseason goal, #20's tally got Carolina's ship headed back in the right direction, but they just didn't have enough time for an equalizer.
The final horn sounded and the score reflected 3-2, Islanders.

They Said It

Rod Brind'Amourgiving his assessment of things post-game...
"The bounces didn't go our way tonight, plain and simple. I liked the way we played. We played hard. We had a couple mistakes that cost us, but there wasn't a ton of those. The bounces just didn't go our way tonight. It's very simple."
Jordan Staalproviding his perspective on the contest...
"I don't think it was a terrible game. We gave them some freebies, for sure, and that was the biggest thing. They didn't really have to work too hard for those goals. It's hard to score goals, especially in the playoffs. I think we did a good job of battling back, and I think we had enough chances to win the game, but we have to clean it up and play a little more solid going back to the Island."
Sebastian Ahowith stitches on the side of his mouth, looking forward, with a positive tone...
"It's supposed to be hard (to win) this time of year. We were ready for a long series. It's no big deal. We'll just try to go back to Long Island and do what we did the other night there."

Bonus Notes

What's Next?

The Canes will be off on Wednesday, but Rod Brind'Amour will speak to the media at 11 a.m. They are then scheduled to practice on Thursday before flying to Long Island. Game 6 will be on Friday night at UBS Arena. A start time has not yet been announced by the NHL.
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