The Carolina Hurricanes will host the struggling New York Islanders on Sunday in Raleigh, N.C. The Islanders (32-30-10, 74 points) suffered their fourth straight loss on Saturday, falling 5-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning despite a late surge with three third-period goals. Their defense has been a concern, conceding at least three goals in regulation for five consecutive games. Defenseman Adam Boqvist acknowledged the importance of securing points at this stage of the season, emphasizing the need for the team to refocus.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes (44-24-4, 92 points) have been in excellent form, winning 10 of their last 12 games. They have scored at least four goals in six of their last seven victories. Their latest triumph came on Friday, a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens, extending Montreal’s losing streak to five games.
Jackson Blake contributed significantly to Carolina’s victory, scoring his first goal since January 23 and adding two assists. He expressed satisfaction with his recent play and was pleased to finally be rewarded. Taylor Hall has also been a key performer, maintaining an impressive scoring streak. The former Hart Trophy winner has found the net in three consecutive games and five of the last seven. His goal on Friday was his seventh in a 10-game span, with five coming in his last three outings. Hall highlighted the team’s growing chemistry, particularly on the power play, as a reason for their recent success.
Another boost for the Hurricanes came with the return of Andrei Svechnikov, who had missed seven games due to an upper-body injury. He made an immediate impact on Friday, bringing energy to the team and sealing the victory with an empty-net goal. Hall praised Svechnikov’s contributions, calling him a valuable asset who will only get better as he regains his form.
For the Islanders, playoff hopes remain alive, but their recent struggles make each game increasingly critical. Head coach Patrick Roy remains optimistic, commending his players for their hard work. However, finishing scoring chances has been a persistent issue, and their inability to capitalize cost them again on Saturday.
As they prepare to face the Hurricanes, the Islanders will need a stronger defensive effort and more efficient offensive execution to end their losing streak.
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