Rapid Reaction: Islanders Drop Fifth Straight Game, Lose 5-2 to Canes

ELMONT– Another game, another loss for the New York Islanders as their losing streak reached five games following a 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday afternoon. The Islanders are now 35-34-10 on the season.

LINES:

Bellows-Nelson-Bailey

Parise–Barzal–Palmieri

Lee-Koivula–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho–Greene

Varlamov

Sorokin

HOW IT HAPPENED

Derek Stepan intercepted a Noah Dobson pass inside the New York Islanders zone and beat Semyon Varlamov at 2:25 of the first period. His ninth of the season was unassisted.

Seth Jarvis gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead on the power play as he beat Varlamov over the glove from the top of the crease for his 17th of the season at 8:09 of the first period. Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho were credited with the assists.

Ross Johnston got the New York Islanders on the board with 1:45 to play in the first period as he redirected a Matt Martin pass past Carolina Hurricanes netminder Antti Raanta for his second of the season. Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas with the assists.

Ryan Pulock tied the contest at two on the power play as he made a quick move at the Hurricanes blue line to create space before beating Kochetkov glove side for his fourth of the season. Josh Bailey and Kieffer Bellows were credited with the assists at 15:27 of the second period.

Max Domi gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead with under six minutes played in the third period as he was left all alone in front of Varlamov for an easy goal. Domi’s 11th of the season was assisted by Teuvo Teravainen and Jordan Martinook at 5:40 of the third.

The Carolina Hurricanes added two empty-net goals late in the third to take a 5-2 lead. The first, Jesper Fast (17:53). The second, Brendan Smith (18:50).

Islanders Honor Alumni

After a charity hockey game against the New York Rangers on Saturday, the New York Islanders alumni weekend continued as many players from the past were at UBS Arena.

Whether it be hopping on with Shannon Hogan during the intermission reports, getting recognized by the PA announcers, or chatting with fans around the arena, it was a tremendous day.

I C O N I C pic.twitter.com/NTUZ9r9kD2

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 24, 2022

It was also a day to remember the lives lost this past year. Islanders legend Bryan Trottier spoke with Shannon Hogan about the importance of the weekend and remembering legacies.

Bryan Trottier speaks with @Shannon_Hogan about honoring the legacies of the #Isles legends we lost this year during Alumni Weekend. pic.twitter.com/AJsZXPBrcN

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 24, 2022

Former broadcasters Howie Rose and Jiggs McDonald joined Alan Fuehring and Butch Goring on MSG’s broadcast as well.

#Isles fans have been blessed with amazing play-by-play and @HowieRose made sure that continued when he advocated for @brendanmburke to take his spot in the booth 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/hWQdO4JimW

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 24, 2022

Cizikas Notches Point No. 200

We are the point in the season where the results do not matter. And not that individual accomplishments matter in the grand scheme of things, but when players reach milestones, it’s still something to appreciate.

New York Islanders fourth-line center Casey Cizikas, who has been a workhorse throughout his entire 11-year career, registered his 200th career NHL point on Sunday.

Matty Martin battling hard finds Ross Johnston to get the #Isles on the board late in the first! pic.twitter.com/Mb1IoGrYal

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 24, 2022

With 200 points, Casey Cizikas is the 43rd player in franchise history to reach that mark.

Raanta Leaves with Injury

With the Carolina Hurricanes already down starting netminder Frederik Andersen, they now have to add Antti Raanta to the shelf as he left the game in the second period.

On a slot deflection by New York Islanders forward Keiffer Bellows midway through the second period, Raanta was forced to stretch out the right pad. It took him a bit to get up and he remained in the game for about three minutes before being removed from the game.

Antti Raanta is coming out of the game for the #Canes.

He was in some clear lower-body pain after making this stop a few moments ago. Tried to play on in the moments following, but you could see he was hurt. pic.twitter.com/K2UTiGhghp

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) April 24, 2022

He did not return.

Rookie Pyotr Kochetkov came into the game after making his NHL debut on Saturday, in which he stopped 17 of 19 shots in a 3-2 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils.

He stopped seven of eight shots in his 27:03 TOI.

Scott Boggs Honored

On Apr. 15, New York Islanders equipment manager Scott Boggs worked his 2,000th NHL game. And on Sunday, the Islanders honored him for his achievements.

Congrats to #Isles Head Equipment Manager, Scott Boggs, on working his 2⃣,0⃣0⃣0⃣ NHL games behind the Islanders bench last week in Montréal 👏 pic.twitter.com/21hiCj26Fp

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 24, 2022

Scott Boggs has been the head equipment manager with the Islanders since 2006, the only NHL team he has worked for.

NOTES:

Anthony Beauvillier (upper-body) and Jean-Gabriel Pageau (COVID-19) missed their third straight game.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders are in Washington to take on the Capitals Tuesday at 7 PM ET