"Sebastian is doing his thing, chasing pucks down and knocking them out of the air. That was probably my worst opportunity of the night," laughed Williams, who hit a post in the second period. "I had a couple good looks, and that one went in. It's funny how that works sometimes."
"He's been our leader all year, and he just continues to impress," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "It's not like he's the best player out there, but he just finds ways. It's special that we have him."
Towels waving. Decibel level pushing above 110. PNC Arena was rocking after Williams gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead, which fueled their stifling team defensive effort that followed, thwarting any chance the Islanders had of a comeback.
"They really didn't spend too much time in our zone after that goal, and that's the way it needs to be if we're going to protect the lead," Faulk said.
"We really took the game over. We didn't allow them any opportunities whatsoever," Williams said. "We kind of rode off the crowd momentum after that, everyone standing up and cheering. This place is electric. It's an extremely loud building. It's definitely home ice advantage."
3. Return of the Mac
McElhinney is making history.
Making a relief appearance in Game 2 on Sunday, McElhinney became the first goaltender in NHL history to make his first three postseason appearances with three different teams. He then stopped all 17 shots he faced to earn his first career playoff win.
In Game 3, McElhinney became the oldest goaltender in NHL history to make his first career playoff start.
"Nerves are part of it, even at this point in my career. It's a playoff game," he said. "Once I step on the ice, it's business as usual."
McElhinney then did things you might not expect to see from someone who is 35 years and 343 days old, including one remarkable save in the second period.
That save was a split on the goal line to stuff Nick Leddy's bid with his left skate blade. McElhinney then remained unflappable in the splits to keep out Jordan Eberle's pair of whacks at the loose puck.