New York @ Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 28, 2019 ) Carolina 2, NY Islanders 1

The Carolina Hurricanes could see a familiar face return to the lineup on Wednesday when they bid to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference second-round series against the visiting New York Islanders. Rookie Andrei Svechnikov, who skated with the Hurricanes on Tuesday, has been sidelined since April 15 with a concussion sustained during a fight with Washington's Alex Ovechkin.

"Practice was good for him today too, but he didn't commit one way or another," Carolina coach Rod Brind'Amour said of the 19-year-old Svechnikov, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft. "It's just, we want to make sure these guys feel comfortable before they go in." Petr Mrazek won't be going in on Wednesday as he nurses a lower-body injury sustained in Sunday's 2-1 win in New York, but Brind'Amour said that the goaltender's absence "shouldn't be too long" and is possible for Game 4. While the Hurricanes have won all three of their home contests in the playoffs, the Islanders outscored Pittsburgh 7-2 to emerge victorious in their lone two road games. "I said to them, 'Hey, we're going to Carolina to win two games, plain and simple,'" coach Barry Trotz said. "You can't win two unless you focus on the first, so we'll focus on the first and go from there."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS: Rugged Cal Clutterbuck's availability for Game 3 is in question after he sustained an undisclosed injury on Sunday. "It's a big blow; he's a big part of the team," linemate Matt Martin said of the 31-year-old Clutterbuck. "He's in every situation. It would hurt, but at the end of the day, they have some guys out of the lineup too. Every team does. We've got guys waiting and wanting an opportunity to play." Former first-round pick Michael Dal Colle would be in line to make his postseason debut if New York plays without Clutterbuck.

ABOUT THE HURRICANES: Curtis McElhinney, who turned aside all 17 shots he faced in relief of Mrazek in Game 2, will become the oldest goaltender to make his first Stanley Cup playoff start on Wednesday. "I don't think at this point in my career anything surprises me," said McElhinney, who is 35 years, 343 days old. "I've been through so much. I'm grateful for the opportunity I do have right now. It's one of those moments you check off your bucket list. Just one more challenge to look forward to." Brind'Amour said that Jordan Martinook (lower body) could be in line to make his series debut on Wednesday, however, the coach wasn't as optimistic about the participation of fellow forward Micheal Ferland (upper body) after he did not take part in line rushes.

OVERTIME

1. New York RW Jordan Eberle has seven points (four goals, three assists) in six playoff games.

2. Carolina rookie LW Warren Foegele has scored all of his team-leading five goals over the last seven contests.

3. Islanders C Mathew Barzal has six points (one goal, five assists) in six postseason games.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Hurricanes 2