The New York Islanders (23–23–8) slumped to their third consecutive loss after they were iced 4–1 by the Carolina Hurricanes (18–28–7) at the RBC Center Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.
If there was any proof that New York lacked intensity in this game, the Canes’ 18 takeaways versus the Islanders’ 7 told the story.
Carolina jumped out early in this game, scoring at 9:19 in the first period after center and newly assigned team captain Eric Staal scored on a power play goal, zipping a shot passed Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro.
For Staal, it was his 18th goal of the season and his eighth goal over the past five games. The 25-year-old All-Star center is the leading scorer for Carolina and has been one of the league’s hottest scorers since being named team captain last week.
Minutes later, the Canes made it 2–0 after center Matt Cullen scored an unassisted goal.
After the two goals, the Islanders stiffened their defense and held Carolina scoreless for the remainder of the period. But as New York’s defense improved, the offense failed to take advantage of any scoring opportunities.
In the third period, with New York going on the power play, Isles defenseman Mark Streit coughed up the puck to Stephane Yelle who skated the length of the ice and put a quick shot over DiPietro’s right shoulder for a the shorthanded goal at 9:40.
Following the Canes’ score, DiPietro looked down at the ice in disgust as it was painfully obvious the goal was the turning point in the game and put a damper on any chances for an Islanders comeback.
New York finally managed to get on the board at 15:29 in the period after winger Matt Moulson beat Canes goalie Cam Ward after being fed an assist from center Frans Nielsen, who was creating traffic in front of the net.
With less than a minute left in the game, New York pulled DiPietro but Carolina winger Jussi Jokinen scored in the empty net.
Dropping their first game on a four-game road trip, the Islanders must now try to rebound against the Philadelphia Flyers (26–23–3) on Saturday.
Matt Moulson knows his team has to do much better. Speaking with MSG, he said, “I think we need to come out in the next game, the same way we came out in the third period [in this game]. I hope we do a lot better job at getting the pucks at the net.”
The Islanders have now scored only four goals over the last six games.
If there was any proof that New York lacked intensity in this game, the Canes’ 18 takeaways versus the Islanders’ 7 told the story.
Carolina jumped out early in this game, scoring at 9:19 in the first period after center and newly assigned team captain Eric Staal scored on a power play goal, zipping a shot passed Islanders netminder Rick DiPietro.
For Staal, it was his 18th goal of the season and his eighth goal over the past five games. The 25-year-old All-Star center is the leading scorer for Carolina and has been one of the league’s hottest scorers since being named team captain last week.
Minutes later, the Canes made it 2–0 after center Matt Cullen scored an unassisted goal.
After the two goals, the Islanders stiffened their defense and held Carolina scoreless for the remainder of the period. But as New York’s defense improved, the offense failed to take advantage of any scoring opportunities.
In the third period, with New York going on the power play, Isles defenseman Mark Streit coughed up the puck to Stephane Yelle who skated the length of the ice and put a quick shot over DiPietro’s right shoulder for a the shorthanded goal at 9:40.
Following the Canes’ score, DiPietro looked down at the ice in disgust as it was painfully obvious the goal was the turning point in the game and put a damper on any chances for an Islanders comeback.
New York finally managed to get on the board at 15:29 in the period after winger Matt Moulson beat Canes goalie Cam Ward after being fed an assist from center Frans Nielsen, who was creating traffic in front of the net.
With less than a minute left in the game, New York pulled DiPietro but Carolina winger Jussi Jokinen scored in the empty net.
Dropping their first game on a four-game road trip, the Islanders must now try to rebound against the Philadelphia Flyers (26–23–3) on Saturday.
Matt Moulson knows his team has to do much better. Speaking with MSG, he said, “I think we need to come out in the next game, the same way we came out in the third period [in this game]. I hope we do a lot better job at getting the pucks at the net.”
The Islanders have now scored only four goals over the last six games.
