Mathew Barzal’s goal keeps Islanders alive in first round

April 28, 2024

Highlights from the Islanders’ 3-2 Game 4 double-overtime victory over the Hurricanes.

Three stars

1. Mathew Barzal

The individual effort on Barzal’s first goal — after he’d put together a quiet series to that point — was of the highest level.

Then he doubled it by scoring the game-winner.

Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders reacts after he tips in the puck for the game winning goal in double overt time. — Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders reacts after he tips in the puck for the game-winning goal in double overttime.
2. Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Michelle Farsi/New York Post

2. Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Pageau had yet to make his presence felt in the series after returning from injury in Game 2, but did so in the best possible way Saturday, scoring to make it 2-1 early in the third and going 19-for-23 at the dots.

3. Semyon Varlamov

It was never a question that Varlamov would get the net in Game 4, but another outstanding effort from the netminder helped keep the Islanders in this one throughout as Varlamov stopped 42 shots.

Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders makes a save against Jordan Martinook of the Carolina Hurricanes. Michelle Farsi/New York Post

Key moment

Barzal’s goal midway through the second period saved this from being a quiet end to the Islanders’ season and got them enough momentum to extend the series to Game 5.