The New York Islanders are looking at a 2-0 series deficit to the Carolina Hurricanes. With only a single goal scored in two games, what forwards need to step it up in this series?

In their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders averaged 3.5 goals for across the four-game sweep. Against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders have managed a single goal.

To be fair, they’ve had their chances in this series. In game two alone Jordan Eberle and Ryan Pulock both hit the crossbar, Scott Mayfield missed a sure goal on the wraparound, Leo Komarov whiffed on another sure goal, and Devon Toews had a goal called back because he kicked it in from behind the goal line.

Again, that was just in game two. In game one, the Islanders hit a few posts and had what looked like a good goal called back for goaltender interference.

The Islanders haven’t been awful, but with a 2-0 series deficit, they haven’t been good enough either.

Just focusing on the forwards, there are at least three players who need to step it up if the Isles are to have a chance at getting back into this series now that it shifts to Raleigh.

I want to focus on the play of Brock Nelson, Josh Bailey, and Anthony Beauvillier. Because in the second round, neither has been good enough. And all three need to step it up as soon as possible.