In Brooklyn Monday night, Jaccob Slavin picked up his first career NHL hat trick as the Carolina Hurricanes routed the New York Islanders, 8-4.
Cam Ward made 23 saves to get the win as the Canes improved to 28-27-11.
Slavin was vague on his last hat trick.
“Feels pretty good,” Slavin said. “maybe [in] mini-mites.”
Joakim Nordstrom also scored for Carolina and Justin Faulk and Jeff Skinner added two goals each in the win.
“It went in tonight, for whatever reason. We were able to score some goals. We did a good job getting through the neutral zone with possession,” Canes head coach Bill Peters said of the eight goals.
Josh Ho-Sang scored twice in the loss and Stephen Gionta and Calvin de Haan added goals.
“We were just bad all over the ice, goaltenders included,” Islanders coach Doug Weight said. “There’s no hiding from this one, that’s for sure. Veterans looked tired. All the young guys looked pretty good, actually, they had some legs. Besides that, everybody was awful.”
A win would have put the Isles one point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second wild card spot in the east.
“There’s five or six teams in the same boat as we are. I don’t think they’re making any excuses about being sharp or playing this time of year,” Isles’ John Tavares said after the loss. “We’re playing for our lives to make the playoffs. That’s what it’s all about. I think we all know what this time of year is like and having that opportunity. To me, that should be as motivating as anything.”
WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Islanders highlights
Jean-Francois Berube got the start for New York but yielded four goals on just 13 shots was given the hook in the second period.
“It really stings right now because I’m a lot better than this,” said Berube, who made his first start since Feb. 19. “It’s a really tough situation, but I’m not going to give up. I know people believe in me. I just need to find a way.”
Thomas Greiss made 16 saves in relief.
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