RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The value from years of postseason lessons showed up in a desperate time for the Carolina Hurricanes as they turned a big deficit into a memorable comeback after long stretches of downright dominant play.
It was a sign of how the Hurricanes' veteran experience — a veteran core in the NHL playoffs for the sixth straight year mixed with past-year additions who have raised the Stanley Cup elsewhere — is just as vital as all the talent and depth in that locker room. And that's particularly true after Monday's 5-3 win against the New York Islanders, turning a three-goal deficit into a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series with the kind of win that etches itself in franchise lore for years to come.
“You do need to take time to reflect on those things because they’re special, right?” coach Rod Brind’Amour said Tuesday. “How often do you see a game like that with the stakes and everything that they are? But it’s hard because we’re always moving on to the next thing.”
That next thing is trying to avoid letting the Islanders catch momentum as the series shifts north for Game 3 on Thursday.
The Hurricanes entered the postseason as the favorite to win the Cup, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Yet after grinding to a tough Game 1 win, the Hurricanes found themselves down 3-0 early in the second period after the Islanders went from failing to get a shot on Frederik Andersen for the first 13-plus minutes to beating him thrice in roughly eight minutes.
Yet the Hurricanes didn’t wither. They attacked. They spent long stretches in the second period tilting the ice toward Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov, erasing outlets and controlling the puck in the offensive zone. They stayed composed after ringing the post multiple times without reward, as well as losing veteran defenseman Brett Pesce to a lower-body injury in the second period.
“It’s the playoffs, it’s not easy, every game is going to be hard,” Carolina captain Jordan Staal said afterward. “There’s going to be frustration. You’ve got to try to eat it. I thought we did a great job of sticking with what we needed to do."
The payoff came in shocking fashion, first with Sebastian Aho's post putaway with the extra attacker to tie it with 2:15 left. Then Jordan Martinook skated down an Islanders giveaway on the ensuing faceoff to score on a wraparound for a 4-3 lead just 9 seconds later — the fastest two-goal sequence in franchise postseason history — to send the home crowd still buzzing about Aho’s score into roof-rattling euphoria.
Jake Guentzel added an empty-net clincher against an Islanders franchise that previously was 81-0 when leading by three or more goals in the playoffs.
Afterward, Staal struggled to find the right words. Martinook said he was way too amped to sleep. Even the matter-of-fact Brind’Amour knew it was “a special night.”
Third-year forward Seth Jarvis credited Carolina’s veterans for ensuring the Hurricanes maintained composure. That includes multi-year teammates like Martinook, an alternate captain who is a key part of Carolina’s aggressive forecheck. But there are also veterans who won a Cup elsewhere in last summer’s defenseman signee Dmitry Orlov (Washington in 2018), or trade-deadline acquisitions Jake Guentzel (Pittsburgh in 2017) and Evgeny Kuznetsov (Capitals in 2018).
“We have guys like Marty, I think Kuzy was huge for us, just talking all night, keeping us calm and composed,” said Jarvis, who banged in the third-period goal that brought Carolina to within 3-2. “Just older guys that don’t let us get too flustered. You can go off the deep end a little bit, but I think they did a really good job of just keeping everyone in it, keeping everyone composed, focusing on the moment.”
Carolina finished with a 39-12 shot advantage, including 17-1 in the final period. Going deeper, the Hurricanes had a 110-28 edge in shot attempts to illustrate how dominant those sustained stretches in the offensive zone really were.
“I thought we were doing a good job of staying composed but we weren’t able to end their plays,” defenseman Ryan Pulock said Tuesday. “As that goes on and on, things happen to where (there's) a broken stick and then we’re short, or take a penalty. And that momentum kind of carries on for them.”
It marked only the third three-goal comeback for the former Hartford Whalers franchise in the postseason, the last coming in Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton. That winner came in abruptly familiar fashion, with Oilers goaltender Ty Conklin misplaying the puck behind the net and Brind’Amour — the captain on that Cup winner — scoring on a winning wraparound with 31.1 seconds left.
“You take a little time to enjoy it and then obviously we've got to figure out how to do it again,” Brind'Amour said, adding: “You've created a pretty special moment for a lot of people last night.”
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour speaks at a news conference following Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) controls the puck in front of New York Islanders' Matt Martin (17) during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Jake Guentzel (59) congratulates Teuvo Teravainen (86) on his goal during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20), with teammate Brady Skjei (76) nearby, celebrates after his tying goal during the third period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The man responsible for the truck attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day that killed 14 people visited the city twice before and recorded video of the French Quarter with Meta smart glasses, an FBI official said Sunday.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar also traveled to Cairo and Canada before the attack, though it was not yet clear whether those trips were connected to the attack, Deputy Assistant Director Christopher Raia said at a news conference. Federal officials believe Jabbar, a U.S. citizen and former U.S. Army soldier, was inspired by the the Islamic State militant group to carry out the attack.
Police fatally shot Jabbar, 42, during a firefight at the scene of the deadly crash on Bourbon Street, famous worldwide for its festive vibes in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter.
Federal investigators so far believe Jabbar acted alone, but are continuing to explore his contacts.
“All investigative details and evidence that we have now still support that Jabbar acted alone here in New Orleans,” said Raia. “We have not seen any indications of an accomplice in the United States, but we are still looking into potential associates in the U.S. and outside of our borders."
Lyonel Myrthil, FBI special agent in charge of the New Orleans Field Office, said Jabbar traveled to Cairo in the summer of 2023 and then to Canada a few days later.
“Our agents are getting answers to where he went, who he met with and how those trips may or may not tie into his actions here,” Myrthil said.
Jabbar had also traveled to New Orleans twice in the months preceding the attack, first in October and again in November. On Oct. 31, Myrthil said Jabbar used glasses from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to record video as he rode through the French Quarter on a bicycle as "he plotted this hideous attack." He said Jabbar was also in New Orleans on Nov. 10 and they are seeking more details about that trip.
He also wore the glasses capable of livestreaming during the attack, but Myrthil said Jabbar did not activate them.
The FBI released Jabbar's recorded video from the planning trip to New Orleans as well as video showing him placing two containers with explosive devices in the French Quarter at around 2 a.m. shortly before the attack. One of the containers, a cooler, was moved a block away by someone uninvolved with the attack, officials said.
Joshua Jackson, New Orleans special agent in charge, said Jabbar privately purchased a semiautomatic rifle from an individual in a legal transaction on Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 19
“This was a chance encounter,” Jackson said. “There’s no way this individual knew that Jabbar was radicalized or had any sort of awareness that this attack was imminent.”
Police have used multiple vehicles and barricades to block traffic at Bourbon and Canal streets since the attack. Other law enforcement agencies helped city officers provide extra security, said Reese Harper, a New Orleans police spokesperson.
The first parade of the Carnival season leading up to Mardi Gras in March is scheduled to take place Monday evening. New Orleans also will host the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.
In a previous effort to protect the French Quarter, the city installed steel columns known as bollards to restrict vehicle access to Bourbon Street. The posts normally retract to allow deliveries to bars and restaurants. But they stopped working reliably after being gummed up by Mardi Gras beads, beer and other detritus.
When New Year’s Eve arrived, the bollards were gone. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell acknowledged the city remains uncertain as to whether the new bollards it is installing in the French Quarter would be able to stop a similar vehicle attack from occurring again.
“The thorough assessment that I am asking for will determine whether they are strong enough,” Cantrell said. “I can’t say with surety that’s the case but an expert will be able to do so, and we’ll respond accordingly.” Cantrell said she requested that Homeland Security upgrade Mardi Gras to the highest Special Event Assessment Rating to receive more federal support for security and risk assessments.
President Joe Biden planned to travel to New Orleans with first lady Jill Biden on Monday to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack.”
The two explosive devices that Jabbar placed were recovered by federal officials undetonated. ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson credited New Orleans police for responding quickly before the devices could be set off. He said the devices were equipped with receivers and a transmitter was recovered in Jabbar’s truck.
Jabbar exited the crashed truck wearing a ballistic vest and helmet and fired at police, wounding at least two officers before he was fatally shot by police.
Bomb-making materials were found at Jabbar's home. Jackson said Jabbar appeared to have used a chemical compound known as RDX, which he said is commonly available in the U.S. He said field tests found RDX at Jabbar’s Houston home and they are conducting further tests on similar materials found at the New Orleans rental home.
Jabbar tried to burn down the rental house by setting a small fire in a hallway with accelerants but the flames smoldered out before firefighters arrived.
Jabbar proclaimed his support for the Islamic State militant group in online videos posted hours before he struck. It was the deadliest IS-inspired assault on U.S. soil in years, laying bare what federal officials have warned is a resurgent international terrorism threat.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” that the country faces “not only the persistent threat of foreign terrorism" but also "a significant increase in what we term homegrown violent extremism” over the past decade.
Myrthil said they believe Jabbar posted on a “couple encrypted applications as well as his own social media.”
He said they are still trying to determine why he targeted New Orleans.
The FBI, left, and Louisiana State Police examine a glass jar along Conti Street that intersects with Bourbon Street during the investigation of a truck crashing into pedestrians on Bourbon Street Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
FILE - FBI and Harris County Sheriff's SWAT members work, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, near Crescent Peak Drive in Houston, where a police investigation continues into a property associated with Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who has been identified as the attacker in the New Orleans massacre. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via AP, File)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025. Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
Amir "Tubad" Gray, left, leads Tubad and the Kings of NOLA Brass Band and artist Roberto Marquez, right, in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, as they memorialize the victims of the New Year's Day deadly truck attack and shooting. Marquez organized the parade and vigil and designed a memorial for the victims on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Tubad and the Kings of NOLA Brass Band plays in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, as they memorialize the victims of the New Year's Day deadly truck attack and shooting. Playing sousaphone is Timothy Brown, left, saxophone is Corey Hosey, Amir "Tubad" Gray, wearing hat, trumpet is Kenneth Hagans, far right, also with the parade is artist Roberto Marquez, second right, who organized the vigil and designed a memorial for the victims on Bourbon Street. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
A black flag with white lettering lies on the ground rolled up behind a pickup truck that a man drove into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing and injuring a number of people, early Wednesday morning, Jan. 1, 2025. The FBI said they recovered an Islamic State group flag, which is black with white lettering, from the vehicle. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released photos of surveillance footage that shows Shamsud-Din Jabbar an hour before he drove a truck down Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early Jan. 1, 2025.(Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation released this photo of Shamsud-Din Jabbar on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024. (Federal Bureau of Investigation via AP)
EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Security personnel investigate the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, place flowers at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A friend of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pauses at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A woman places flowers next to photos of victim Matthew Tenedorio at memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alisa Kuhns, visiting from Santa Rosa, Calif. reacts at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Katriel Faith Gibson, who lives nearby, reacts as she visits a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A memorial sits outside a restaurant along Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Sav Bennly sits in front of a memorial at Bourbon and Canal Street in the French Quarter, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shawn Westbrook prays at a memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
People walk past a memorial on Canal Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A woman paints a heart as friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, visit a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Flowers lie next to candles at a memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack is seen on Canal Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Kelli Galle, right, hugs her son Parker, left, as they visit a memorial to the victims of a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Eddie Williams lights candles for his uncle, who was killed in a deadly truck attack, at a memorial to the victims on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A memorial on Bourbon Street is seen at the site of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A memorial for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day stands on the sidewalk in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Flowers lie in the street at the site of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Friends of Kareem Badawi, a victim of the deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, pray at a memorial for victims after attending his funeral, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Alisa Kuhns, visiting from Santa Rosa, Calif. reacts at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Nathan Williams, a University of New Orleans student, lights a candle at memorial on Bourbon Street for the victims of a deadly truck attack on New Year's Day in New Orleans, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
