Hurricanes beat Islanders, 3-2, to take a 3-0 series lead

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders with the Hurricanes bench during the second period in Game 3 of the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at UBS Arena.

The Carolina Hurricanes held on for a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., to go up 3-0 in the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

Game 4 is Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at UBS Arena.

“It’s going to take our best effort. Their season’s going to be on the line,” the Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho said on ESPN after the game.

Frederik Andersen made 29 saves for the Hurricanes.

Aho’s goal, 7:14 into the second period, turned out to be the game winner. It gave Carolina a 3-1 lead and sent New York goaltender Ilya Sorokin to the showers. He was replaced by Semyon Varlamov.

“It was a big goal at the time … great pass (from Andrei Svechnikov),” Aho said. “It was a quick release. Not the hardest shot but if you shoot it quick enough, you’ve got a chance.”

Brock Nelson made it a one-goal game with 2:21 remaining in the second period.

Defensemen gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead in the first period as Brent Burns (4:46) and Dmitry Orlov (9:35 left in the opening period) scored. Svechnikov had two assists.

Pierre Engvall put the Islanders on the board 2:48 into the second.

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