The Storm Moves On To Brooklyn! Canes Continue To Execute In OT, Take Game 1, 1-0, To Take 1-0 Series Lead Against Islanders

If there was anything to describe Game 1 of the Canes-Islanders Eastern Conference Semifinals, it was: fast.

I felt like I was watching a track meet on ice. Both teams were able to get shots off in under ten seconds on multiple occasions. Compare it to the fast pace that the Oklahoma City Thunder play at. Skaters from each side were able to skate pass the defense at lightning speed.

Both the Canes and the Islanders were seemingly shooting at will. There were so many good scoring chances. Rush after rush. Highlight save after highlight save. Point blank scoring chances at every moment.

The thing is? There was no scoring in this game. Until overtime. OVERTIME. The New York Islanders actually had a couple of goals overturned, one on a goaltender interference call, and another shot that looked like a goal, but got stuck in the side of the net.

The Canes had a lot of great scoring chances themselves. The Canes found themselves on a couple of breakaways, only to be denied by Robin Lehner, who had only allowed six goals in the playoffs going into this game.

But then, the wind blew a little harder. At 15:59 of overtime, Nino Neiderreiter took a shot from between the circles that bounced off the back boards. Three seconds later, Jordan Staal collected the puck, and took a shot that went off of Lehner’s skate and into the goal for Staal’s fourth goal of the playoffs, sending the Canes into Game 2 with a 1-0 series lead.

Both goalies were spectacular. This was a game that both teams easily could have won. However, with Mrazek’s spectacular goaltending, and the Canes’ relentless offensive pressure, they were able to come out on top. The Canes also had the advantage of playing a seven-game series, while the Islanders had not played since Tuesday, April 16, when they completed a sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mrazek, with a 31-save performance, earned the First Star of the game. Lehner, with his 32-save performance, earned Second Star. Jordan Staal, now with four playoff goals, earned the game’s Third Star with his overtime goal.

Will Game 2, which is tomorrow at 3:00 P.M ET on NBC, be an offensive explosion? Or will it be another close-knit, defensive battle? Regardless, the Canes have a great opportunity to return home up 2-0.

Take Warning.