Hurricanes look to dictate pace in Game 2 against Islanders

By Ryan Bisesi, WRAL multiplatform producer

New York Islanders	3
Carolina Hurricanes	5
Final

Raleigh, N.C. — Game 2 of the first-round playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders is Monday night.

The Hurricanes fought off a sluggish second period and played a strong final 20 minutes in a 3-1 win in Game 1 at PNC Arena on Saturday.

The Hurricanes staved off a strong effort from the visiting Islanders, who outshot them 34-26 and blocked 21 shots. New York looked like the team that won eight of their last nine to close the regular season in the first two periods.

"We weren't great, that's for sure," Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said.

"I think it's a perfect example of a team that's been playing playoff hockey for a month and a team that hasn't," Brind'Amour said. "I thought as the game kinda wore on, we started getting up to speed with how it's gonna be."

Stefan Noesen scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period Saturday and Martin Necas scored on an empty net to ice it. Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist, putting the Hurricanes on the board with a power-play goal just 1:35 into the game. Carolina scored a power play goal and killed two penalties.

Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen had 33 saves and was active for the first two periods. Andersen will get the start Monday night.

"He was the difference in the game, obviously," Brind'Amour said of Andersen. "He made countless saves tonight, kept us in it and we were able to squeak it out."

Brady Skjei finished with two assists.

The Hurricanes are hoping for a more efficient repeat of last season's first round, when they eliminated the Islanders in six games.

Home teams are a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs so far.

The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.