Notebook: Isles Get Point in 3-2 OT Loss to Canes

"It's a huge point when you're down and haven't been winning lately," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "We've just got to keep grinding. Every point counts. The point that we got may be the point that helps us get in or the point we lost may keep us out. We'll see how that plays out, but we climbed today. We climbed a little bit. That's really key." 

Video: NYI Recap: Bailey, Pulock score in OT defeat

Carolina struck first at 13:22 of the first period as Williams deflected a long-range shot from Haydn Fleury. The Isles got caught with too many bodies below the hash marks and Leo Komarov's attempt to clear the puck out of the Isles zone landed straight on Fleury's stick.

Despite Carolina controlling the first period and holding a 9-6 shot advantage, the Isles received a morale boost as they killed off a Komarov double-minor for high-sticking at 16:58. The penalty kill held off Carolina's power play as they started the second period and subsequently got on the board after completing the kill.

"Our penalty kill gave us an opportunity," Trotz said. "It kept us in the game from it getting away from us. Once we killed the penalties, our game ramped up."

As Jordan Eberle exited the box, he tried to set up Mathew Barzal down low, but a Carolina skater intercepted the play. Anders Lee forechecked to regain possession and found Pulock, who was crashing the high slot. Pulock fired the one timer past Carolina goalie Anton Forsberg to tie the score. Lee's assist was the 300th career point (172G, 128A). 

Video: CAR@NYI: Pulock picks the corner on Forsberg

The Canes regained the lead, making it 2-1, at 6:16 of the third period as Edmundson buried a rebound from Teuvo Teravainen's initial shot from the right faceoff circle that had deflected off Islanders defenseman Andy Greene.

Down by a goal with 15 minutes remaining in the third period, the Islanders didn't back down and instead amplified their pressure as they created a flurry of threatening chances. 

The abrasion finally broke through as Noah Dobson's wraparound attempt instigated the Islanders tying goal with 4:58 left in the period. As the rookie defenseman rounded the net, Forsberg got his pad to deny the initial shot, but left the backdoor open for Bailey to bury the rebound. 

With under a minutes left in regulation, Barzal drew a tripping penalty on Brady Skjei to put the Isles on their fifth power play of the night. However, it was short-lived, as Barzal clipped Jordan Staal with a high-stick and received a double-minor with 24 seconds left in the game. That eventually gave Carolina a four-on-three advantage in the extra frame. 

Video: CAR@NYI: Bailey cleans up Dobson's wraparound attempt

Carolina's game-winning goal caused quite the controversy as Andrei Svechnikov knocked a puck out of mid-air. The Carolina forward, who stands 6-foot-2, extended his stick above the cross bar, but below his shoulders, to redirect the puck towards the net. While his attempt struck iron, which kept the play alive, the puck bounced out to Trocheck for a doorstep tap-in. The officials reviewed the play, but the call on the ice was confirmed. Lee and Trotz both immediately stayed on the ice looking for an explanation from the officials. 

"The brief one we got after the game was about the shoulder height," Lee said. "If the puck goes in directly it would have been no goal, but because it hits the post and play continues, that's what I got. It's shoulder height, based on the height of the player. I don't know enough to talk on it."

While the result stung following the Isles battle, they ultimately picked up a precious point and put forth a solid performance to build off of as they embark upon a four-game road trip beginning in Western Canada and wrapping up in Pittsburgh. 

"We're in a playoff spot right now," Lee said. "There's a lot of hockey left, we played a good game tonight, there's nothing lost here except a point and a good effort. We had a good effort tonight and we go on the road and make it right."

Video: CAR 3 vs NYI 2 (OT): Anders Lee

PULOCK POTS IN THIRD STRAIGHT:

Pulock's second period goal was his third tally in as many games. The 25-year-old blueliner matched a career high as he lit the lamp for the 10th time this season. 

Pulock led the team with 23:44 and fired four shots on goal, had five hits and two blocks. 

CLUTTERBUCK MISSES GAME:

Cal Clutterbuck did not play against Carolina. The forward was a game-time decision. 

In his absence, Andrew Ladd drew into the lineup and slotted alongside Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Michael Dal Colle. The Isles fourth line was reconstructed with Derick Brassard in between Matt Martin and Leo Komarov. Komarov was a healthy scratch against Ottawa on Thursday. The winger played 8:31 and threw four hits. 

Ladd logged 12:06 in his first game back in the Isles lineup since Feb. 21, had one shot and three hits. 

Video: CAR 3 vs NYI 2: Barry Trotz

GREISS BACK BETWEEN THE PIPES:

Greiss made his 29th start of the season and returned between the pipes after he was pulled following the first period against Montreal on March 3. 

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders kick-off their road trip at Vancouver on Tuesday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET.