Carolina Hurricanes Defeat New York Islanders 2-1 in Regular Season Finale

The game took place on April 14, 2026. This loss marked the Islanders' seventh defeat in their last eight games.

Nikolaj Ehlers scored the first goal for the Hurricanes at 3:05 of the first period, assisted by Felix Unger Sorum in his NHL debut. Ehlers finished the season with 71 points, including 26 goals and 45 assists. The Hurricanes' goaltender Brandon Bussi made 28 saves in the victory.

Bo Horvat tied the game at 1-1 for the Islanders late in the second period, scoring on a pass from Mathew Barzal with less than seven minutes remaining. Victor Eklund, also in his NHL debut, recorded an assist on the goal. Islanders goaltender David Rittich stopped 19 shots in the loss.

Third-Period Deciding Goal Mark Jankowski scored the go-ahead goal for the Hurricanes in the third period, securing the 2-1 win.

The Hurricanes ended their regular season with four victories in their final five games. This performance allowed them to finish first in the Eastern Conference standings. Pyotr Kochetkov, the Hurricanes' planned starting goaltender, participated in warmups but did not play due to a roster technicality.

He was activated from injured reserve and will be eligible for the playoffs, according to the team. Emergency backup goaltender Thomas Sullivan served as the backup for Carolina.

Season Context and Next Steps The Islanders' season concluded without a playoff berth, as their recent losses eliminated them from contention.

The Hurricanes, now atop the Eastern Conference, prepare for the start of the NHL playoffs. Both teams' performances in this final game highlighted key player contributions and debut impacts. The game drew attention to emerging players, with two NHL debuts contributing assists.

Overall, the matchup served as a tune-up for the Hurricanes heading into postseason play, while marking the end of a challenging season for the Islanders. Further details on playoff matchups will be determined by league officials in the coming days.