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Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders: Game 3 Preview and Storm Advisory

The Hurricanes look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series tonight on home ice against the New York Islanders at PNC Arena.

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Jamie Kellner

The Hurricanes are back in Raleigh! They return with a huge 2-0 series lead and a chance to stretch it to 3-0 tonight on home ice.


Vital Statistics

Category Hurricanes Bruins
Category Hurricanes Bruins
Record 8-6 11-5
Goals/Game 2.79 3.31
Goals Against/Game 2.71 2.06
Shots/Game 30.9 34.3
Faceoff % 49.1% 53.3%
Power Play % (Rank) 10.0% (14) 31.9% (1)
Penalty Kill % (Rank) 70.8% (14) 85.7% (4)
ES Corsi For % 55.61% 51.66%
ES PDO 101.2% 101.0
PIM/Game 8:38 6:30

Goaltender #1

Category Petr Mrazek Tuukka Rask
Category Petr Mrazek Tuukka Rask
Record 5-5 11-5
Save % .894 .939
GAA 2.73 1.96

Goaltender #2

Category Curtis McElhinney Jaroslav Halak
Category Curtis McElhinney Jaroslav Halak
Record 3-1 0-0
Save % .943 N/A
GAA 1.70 N/A

Game Notes

  • Andrei Svechnikov was a full participant in yesterday’s practice and seems to be primed to make his return to the lineup tonight. We’ll have more info on the topic later today.
  • After winning Game 7 in Washington, the Hurricanes travelled to New York for the first two games of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, winning both. It’s the first time that they’ve swept a three-game road trip in franchise history (regular season and playoffs).
  • This is the fifth time in franchise history that the Hurricanes have won the first two games of best-of-seven series. They’re 3-1 in past series in which they go up by a score of 2-0.
  • The Hurricanes were seriously bit by the injury bug in Game 2. Trevor van Riemsdyk was injured from a hit taken in his first shift, which kept him out of the remainder of the game. He will miss significant time. Petr Mrazek sustained a lower-body injury pushing across his crease later in the game. He is day-to-day, but most likely out tonight. Saku Manelaenen — who has looked great this postseason — will be out the next 10 to 14 days after requiring surgery on his hand for an injury sustained on Sunday.
  • Curts McElhinney was great in relief of Mrazek, stopping all 17 shots faced and earning his first playoff wins. Prior to his emergency entrance into the game Sunday, McElhinney had not played since April 6th, when he picked up the win in Philadelphia in Carolina’s season finale.
  • And McElhinney will set a record when Game 3 starts tonight:
  • Warren Foegele’s goal 17 seconds into the third period on Sunday tied his own franchise playoff leading record for the fastest opening period goal. Nino Niederreiter’s goal just 48 seconds later marks the two fastest goals to start a period in the playoffs in franchise history

Storm Advisory

  • ICYMI, the Hurricanes trade Adam Fox’s rights to the New York Rangers yesterday for a surprisingly good return. [Us]
  • This is a pretty cool addition to PNC Arena.
  • The First Goal program registration opens today at 9:00 AM! It’s an awesome opportunity for kids to get started with the game of hockey at a low cost.
  • Great stuff.
  • Ever wonder what an NHL locker room is like minutes before overtime? [The Athletic]
  • Islanders fans aren’t happy about John Forslund on the call for NBC during the playoffs. [Newsday]
  • Off topic, but we figure there might be a couple of Wake Forest fans floating around here these days given the circumstances. If that’s you, and you feel like you’d be a good fit to run the Wake Forest SBN site, today is your lucky day. [Blogger So Dear]
  • Oh, and while we hope to not get to the point where you need it in this round, go ahead and get your Mr. Game 7 shirt now so that you can be ready when you do need it!

About Last Night

  • The Blue Jackets took on the Boston Bruins in their first second round home game in franchise history. The Blue Jackets picked up another tight, one-goal win in front of an absolutely raucous crowd. The Blue Jackets lead the series 2-1 with another to play at home tomorrow.
  • The Sharks picked up a huge road win in Colorado last night in a rebound from their tough Game 2 effort. It was Logan Couture all night as he picked up a hat trick en route to a 4-2 win for the Sharks, who lead the series 2-1.