Mat Barzal, Islanders Disappoint NHL Fans in Playoff-Eliminating Loss vs. Hurricanes

Julia StumbaughMay 1, 2024

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

It only took the Carolina Hurricanes five games to eliminate Mathew Barzal and the New York Islanders from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Islanders’ season ended Tuesday night with a 6-3 Game 5 loss after a third-period collapse in North Carolina.

Barzal assisted twice as the Islanders recovered from an early deficit to head into the final frame with the score tied.

The Islanders then allowed two goals in eight seconds.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceHOLY JUMPIN THE CANES SCORE 8 SECONDS APART AGAIN AND TAKE A 5-3 LEAD 🤯 pic.twitter.com/jsp3FswiTw

The late collapse disappointed Islanders fans, especially after New York blew a three-goal lead earlier in the series while losing Game 2 to the Hurricanes:

Big Tuna Bets @BigTunaBetsHow do the Islanders do this so often? Fought all the way to tie it, then boom 2 goals in 8 SECONDS?! And somehow not even the worst collapse they’ve had in the series

Tyler Anderson @M_MiracleManWhat a collapse, again, by the Islanders

Charlie Borges Jr @CharlieBorgesJrDeath, taxes, and a monumental Islanders collapse.

The elimination loss was particularly painful after fans watched former Islanders captain John Tavares set up a game-winning overtime goal, keeping the Toronto Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes alive in their own series against the Boston Bruins, the same night:

Mike Bartner @MikeBartnerIslanders eliminated while the Rangers sweep and the Leafs stay alive off a Tavares game winning set up. pic.twitter.com/tCdrJBxhXz

Brendan Cox @Leaf_BoyIslanders…you know, John Tavares just set up tonight’s overtime winner. Are you…absolutely certain you don’t need him? And then, there were thirteen…

To add insult to injury, the New York Knicks also lost in overtime to the Philadelphia 76ers, squandering a chance to close out their own first-round series in five games.

In addition, the New York Yankees lost 4-2 to the Baltimore Orioles.

YG @GuyYankeesKnicks lost, Yankees lost, Islanders eliminated… tough night

Don Lewis @DonLew87Brutal night for New York in playoff sports. Knicks with a huge choke job and Islanders eliminated. I am NOT happy.

The Islanders now face the question of how much to rebuild the current roster in the offseason after a regular season in which they only narrowly qualified for the playoffs.

Tuesday night’s collapse had some fans calling for a complete rebuild:

Byron Bader @ByronMBaderIslanders are nowhere near good enough to do damage in the playoffs IMO. And their prospect pool is just horrendous. They should be ripping it down and rebuilding, but with a new GM.

Daniel Friedman @DanJFriedmanThis core deserves better. This coach deserves better. Buy out whoever you have to. Trade whoever you have to. Sign whoever you have to. Give them the means to compete in the playoffs, because right now they don’t have it. #Isles

Chris Botta @ChrisBottaNHLFor the second year in a row, my hope is #Isles owners and Lou Lamoriello figure out a respectful path to new leadership in hockey ops. Roster must be re-tooled. NYI also need to build their business. It will take a little time and creativity. They need new ideas.

While the Islanders prepare for locker cleanout, the Hurricanes will advance to the second round. Next the Canes will take on the New York Rangers, fresh out of their first-round sweep of the Washington Capitals.