The Carolina Hurricanes are engaged in a heated Stanley Cup Playoffs series against the New York Islanders. Carolina took a 2-0 lead after a standout Game 2 performance from Sebastian Aho and Jordan Martinook. The two teammates helped the Hurricanes rally for a thrilling ending.
Hurricanes achieve incredible Game 2 feat against Islanders
Carolina trailed 3-0 more than halfway through the game and 3-2 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Then, the team scored a pair of goals in just nine seconds after extreme efforts from Sebastian Aho and Jordan Martinook.
The Hurricanes’ two goals in nine seconds marked the fastest in franchise postseason history, per insight from NHL.com. The last team to score a faster pair in the playoffs was Pittsburgh during Game 3 of the 2018 first round.
Aho and Martinook’s late-game offensive displays allowed the Hurricanes to steal the win from the Islanders and take a 2-0 lead. Monday night’s effort marked just the third three-goal comeback win in Hurricanes/Whalers postseason history.
The two prior comebacks occurred in Game 4 of the 2002 Conference Semifinals (4-3 OT W at MTL) and Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final (5-4 vs. EDM). If the Hurricanes continue their stellar efforts, they will be on their way to a deep 2024 postseason run.
Carolina improved to 10-0 in Game 2 after winning Game 1 dating back to the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, going on to win eight of those nine prior series. The only other team to post a run of that length is Edmonton, which also took 10 straight 2-0 series leads after winning Game 1 from 1985 to 1988.
The Islanders are not happy with the way things ended on Monday night. Thus, the Hurricanes must be locked in for their Game 3 matchup in New York on Thursday. The positive energy from Jordan Martinook after Game 2 should give Carolina momentum.
Hurricanes look to ride wave of thrilling comeback
Martinook was stoked after his team’s late rally. He described the electric feeling of the comeback to reporters after the game.
“In the third, it was just wave after wave,” the Hurricanes forward said. “We were coming at them and we didn’t give them anything, which was key.”
“The momentum of us tying the game and the energy it sends, I don’t really know how to describe it. Obviously, you push that hard, hopefully you’re going to get a couple. Luckily we did. Those are fun games to be a part of, and I’m not going to sleep too good tonight I don’t think.”
The adrenaline rush Martinook felt from the thrilling ending prevented him from settling down. However, he will need the rest for a revamped Islanders attack on Thursday.
New York coach Patrick Roy was disappointed with the game’s end. Still, he is working diligently to prepare his team for its next matchup.
“It’s a tough loss, no doubt about it, because we had a chance to win that game,” Roy said. “But at the same time, we’ve got to regroup and be ready for the next game. We’re going home and we need to play well at our building and win game No. 3, that’s all.”
Hopefully, the Hurricanes will not get caught down early again in Game 3. The Islanders will surely bring a fiery performance to get the series to 2-1. Can Sebastian Aho and company hold New York off once again?
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