Islanders 5, Hurricanes 4

The Carolina Hurricanes jumped from bad to worse as they had another horrific start to a game, this time falling behind 3-0, six minutes into the first period, and 4-0 less than 11 minutes into it, before eventually losing to the New York Islanders, 5-4 on Tuesday night in front of 15,176 at the PNC Arena.

Cam Ward started the game and allowed three goals on nine shots in 6:12, but got no help from his team in this debacle of a beginning.

Jay Harrison called it "inexcusable" and "intolerable" but did not know how to fix this recurring problem.  When asked if it required some screaming and yelling or a throw of a stick in the dressing room, he replied, "It's beyond that point."

Anton Khudobin replaced Ward after the third goal, but was also scored upon at 10:54 into the period, before Carolina put a shot on goal.

Once the Canes did start rolling, they played pretty well.  Jeff Skinner made it 4-1 on a powerplay goal and Andrei Loktionov scored a pretty, tight angle shot to make it 4-2 before the end of the wild opening period.

Alexander Semin would score another powerplay goal to open the second period and it looked like the home team might take things over, but Matt Martin was left all alone right in front of the crease and he made the score, 5-3 to kill Carolina's momentum.

Nathan Gerbe roofed one in before the end of the second period to make things close once again, but the third period was scoreless and the game ended at 5-4.

Since the Olympic break, the Hurricanes have lost to the Sabres, Oilers, and Islanders, among the worst teams in the league. The Islanders were also missing a few of their best players, while the Canes had their full compliment.

The next game is in Florida on Thursday night.

Game Notes:

• Andrej Sekera finished with a team worse -4. Ron Hainsey had  team high 23:37 of ice time and finished with an even plus/minus.  Drayson Bowman played a team low 5:58.
• The Carolina powerplay looked better and finished 2-4 in the game. 
  
• The home team was out-hit 30-13 and looked absolutely lethargic to open the game.
• Eric Staal had a team worse three giveaways.
• The Canes were outshot 32-28.  Jeff Skinner led the way with seven.
• Ward finished the game 3-9.  Khudobin was 2-23.