NHL

Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen keeps Islanders at bay in critical moments

Highlights from the Islanders’ 3-2 Game 3 loss to the Hurricanes, putting them in a 2-0 playoff series hole.

3 stars

1. Frederik Andersen

The Carolina netminder didn’t put together a great first two periods, but his third was excellent.

Andersen held down the fort when the Islanders were pouring on pressure.

Frederik Andersen makes a sprawling glove save on Anders Lee during the Islanders' 3-2 Game 3 loss to the Hurricanes.
Frederik Andersen makes a sprawling glove save on Anders Lee during the Islanders’ 3-2 Game 3 loss to the Hurricanes. NHLI via Getty Images

2. Sebastian Aho

Another quietly strong game from Carolina’s No. 1 center, who scored the eventual game-winner on a should-have-been-harmless wrist shot that beat Ilya Sorokin clean.

3. Brock Nelson

After a quiet first two games of the series, Nelson and the rest of his line finally made an impact.

Brock Nelson
Brock Nelson notched a goal for the Islanders. Michelle Farsi/New York Post

Nelson scored his first goal of the postseason late in the second period and was a regular offensive-zone presence on a night the Islanders needed him to be.

Key moment

Semyon Varlamov coming in for Ilya Sorokin midway through the second period settled the Islanders down and helped shift the momentum of the game, but it could have ramifications beyond Thursday.

Quote of the Day

“We gotta win a game before we can win four.” — Anders Lee