Recap: Hurricanes Shut Out by Islanders

The Carolina Hurricanes were shut out, 3-0, by the New York Islanders, the second consecutive night in which the team has been unable to tally points against a Metropolitan Division opponent.
Thomas Greiss made 45 saves in his first shutout of the season, helping the Islanders displace the Hurricanes for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Here are five takeaways from tonight's game.

One
Greiss came into this game with a 4.03 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage in 23 games this season. His career stats against the Hurricanes weren't much better: a 3.31 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in nine games.
Tonight, though, he was the difference. The Hurricanes fired 45 shots on goal, the most since they tallied 47 on Dec. 2, and Greiss stopped them all.
"We've got to find ways to bear down," Brett Pesce said. "They were hard on our forwards and hard in front of the net. They did a great job boxing out."
"We dominated at times and created a lot of offense. We just didn't have that last effort to put it in the net. Sometimes it's like that," Derek Ryan said. "We've got to be able to fight through and, especially in a big game like that, make sure we give Wardo a little more run support."
"We couldn't get one. We couldn't buy one here tonight," head coach Bill Peters said. "I thought their goaltender played well."
Two
Pesce hit a post early in the first period. That would have set an energetic building ablaze. The energy was evident in this one right from the drop of the puck. Both teams were playing with pace and purpose, and neither were shying away from physicality. There was certainly a playoff-like feel early, but neither team was able to capitalize.
"I thought we created lots of chances, got lots of pucks to the net and lots of shots," Ryan said. "We were able to create a lot of trouble in their zone. We got some sustained offensive zone time. We've just got to turn that into a few more goals."
"It's desperation. It's playoff hockey," Peters said. "You've got to pay a price to score, and you've got to think that every time you go to the net that the rebound is going to be there. The one time you don't go hard with conviction, that's when it's laying there and you're boxed out."

Three
Four minutes into the third period, the building erupted as Jeff Skinner scored his 200th career goal to tie the game at one - at least, that's what it seemed. While the Hurricanes celebrated, the Islanders consulted video replay and issued a coach's challenge to determine whether the goal occurred after an offside zone entry. Sure enough, Skinner's back skate was off the ice before the puck crossed legally into the zone. Debates of the rule's merit aside - should the fact that the skate is mere inches off the ice result in the player being offside? - the correct call was ultimately made.
"It's unfortunate," Pesce said. "We were working our tails off and knew what's at stake. We finally get one and they take it back. It's tough to see, but it wasn't onside clearly. It's a tough break. It's just unfortunate."
"Before it ever went in I was told it was offside on the entry. I wasn't surprised. Disappointed, obviously, but I was told it was offside when the play happened," Peters said. "You're hoping, but our guys thought it was offside and obviously the video proved that."
Four
After the disallowed goal, the Hurricanes continued to push but couldn't solve Greiss again. The Islanders then made it a 2-0 game when Anthony Beauvillier scored on a partial breakaway. With eight minutes left in regulation, the two-goal hole proved too deep to climb out of.
"I think we pushed and continued to play the same way. I don't think there was much variance throughout the game," Peters said. "I thought it was kind of a steady effort throughout. They got one in the second half of the third period to give them a little wiggle room."
Johnny Boychuk's knuckler from the point gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at nearly the exact midpoint of the game. John Tavares was awarded an empty-net goal in the final minute of regulation when he was hauled down with the gaping cage in front of him.
Five
This four-game intra-divisional stretch was already critical to the standings. Now, Sunday's rematch with the New Jersey Devils becomes even more of a must-win. The Hurricanes need to get back in the win column and tie a tourniquet on this skid.
"Just taking it one day at a time right now. We'll focus on coming in tomorrow and making sure we get better," Ryan said. "Sunday is a huge test and a huge battle. We've got to make sure we're starting to get those points, especially on home ice."
"I think the biggest thing now is to rebound," Pesce said. "It's a must-win on Sunday."
Up Next
It's rematch time with the New Jersey Devils, who will drop by for an early evening Sunday match-up.