Hurricanes top Islanders for 2-0 series advantage but lose another key forward to injury
The Carolina Hurricanes took Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, but not without a cost.
After the Hurricanes' thrilling 4-3 overtime victory, head coach Rod Brind'Amour revealed that forward Teuvo Teravainen suffered a broken hand, which will require surgery, putting him out for the rest of the series and possibly beyond.
Brind'Amour told reporters he was "a little p--sed" about the incident.
"The guy absolutely tomahawk chops him," Brind'Amour said, via Kate Rogerson of ABC North Carolina. "And I know we had all the power plays, so you're not going to make it a five-on-three. Go take a look at the video. And he's out for the series."
The injury occurred 4:25 into the opening period when J.G. Pageau of the Islanders slashed Teravainen in the hand after a shot attempt a step inside the circle. In a game that featured only six power-play opportunities, all earned by Carolina, Pageau wasn't assessed a penalty on the play.
Teravainen is only the latest winger to go down for the Hurricanes, who are already without Max Pacioretty and Andrei Svechnikov. Carolina placed Pacioretty on injured reserve in January after suffering a second Achilles tendon tear. Meanwhile, Svechnikov is out indefinitely with a knee injury suffered in March.
It will be challenging to replace the offensive production left behind by Teravainen. Still, the Hurricanes hope they can muster a similar effort to Wednesday's throughout the rest of the series.
After blowing an early 2-0 lead, Carolina trailed the Islanders by a goal midway through the third period after allowing three unanswered goals. However, at 12:19, Jacob Slavin tied the game to force overtime. Jesper Fast sent Hurricanes fans home happy in OT, netting the game-winner 5:03 into the extra session.
With the Hurricanes up 2-0, the series shifts to New York for the next two games, beginning with Game 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. EST.
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