Jankowski’s 3rd-period goal lifts Hurricanes past Islanders 2-1

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Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) clears the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Islanders' Adam Pelech (3) checks Carolina Hurricanes' Felix Unger Sorum (36) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi (32) clears the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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9:39 PM on Tuesday, April 14

By SCOTT CHARLES

NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Jankowski scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for Carolina, and Brandon Bussi made 28 saves. The Hurricanes closed the regular season with four wins in their final five games and finished atop the Eastern Conference.

Bo Horvat scored his 300th career goal, David Rittich stopped 19 shots and the Islanders lost for the seventh time in eight games.

Ehlers opened the scoring at 3:05 of the first period and finished his first season in Carolina with a career-high 71 points (26 goals, 45 assists). Felix Unger Sorum assisted on the goal in his NHL debut.

Horvat tied it 1-all late in the second period, finishing a feed from Mathew Barzal with less than seven minutes remaining. Victor Eklund, also making his NHL debut, had an assist.

Pyotr Kochetkov was slated to start and took warmups but was unavailable due to a roster technicality. He has been activated from injured reserve and will be eligible for the playoffs, according to the team. Emergency backup goaltender Thomas Sullivan served as Carolina’s backup.

Up next

Hurricanes: Host Ottawa Senators in first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Islanders: Done for the season.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl