Game 1 Loss Header

The New York Islanders fell 2-1 at PNC Arena in their first clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, trailing 1-0 in the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Special teams was the difference in the fierce Game 1 matchup, as Sebastian Aho and Stefan Noesen buried power-play goals to power the offense for the Hurricanes, while Martin Necas and Brent Burns had a pair of assists each. Ryan Pulock registered an unassisted tally in the middle frame to pull the Islanders within one, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves in the loss, while Antti Raanta made 25 saves in the win.

THE SCORING:
1st Period:
3:47 - CAR 1, NYI 0 PPG - After the Hurricanes win a faceoff in the Islanders' zone, Martin Necas handles the puck at the point and slides it to Brent Burns, who sends a feed to Sebastian Aho at the circle. Aho rips a one-timer to beat Ilya Sorokin clean to open the scoring in Game 1.
2nd Period:
2:27 - CAR 2, NYI 0PPG- Necas leaves a backhand feed for Burns, who fires off a long shot from the point. Stefan Noesen deflects it past Sorokin, who was screened on the play.
2:51 - CAR 2, NYI 1 - The Islanders retaliate quickly after Carolina's second goal to get on the board. Ryan Pulock navigates past two defenders and takes a shot from one knee, which bounces off the left pad of Antti Raanta and into the net to pull New York within one.
3rd Period:
No scoring.
NOTEBOOK:
Ryan Pulock tallied the first playoff goal for the Islanders and eighth of his career. Pulock's team-high nine hits marks career-high for the defenseman in the playoffs... Mathew Barzal made his return to the lineup and took three shots (two on goal, one attempted) in 21:12 TOI, recording one giveaway and one blocked shot in his first game since Feb. 18... Hudson Fasching, Samuel Bolduc and Sebastian Aho skated in their first NHL playoff game... Bo Horvat went 16-for-28 in the dot (57.0%)… Adam Pelech led with 23:25 TOI... Scott Mayfield blocked a team-high four shots... Anders Lee took a team-high four shots.
GOALTENDING MATCHUP:
Ilya Sorokin stopped 35-of-37 in the loss.
Antti Raanta stopped 25-of-26 in the win.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
The Islanders power play went 0-for-4, while their penalty kill went 2-for-4.
IMAGE OF THE GAME:

NEXT GAME:
The Islanders will face the Hurricanes in Game 2 on Wednesday at PNC Arena. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.