Hurricanes goalie Petr Mrazek out for Game 3 vs. Islanders

At home with a chance to practically clinch the series, the Carolina Hurricanes will have to do without goaltender Petr Mrazek in Game 3 against the New York Islanders.

After leaving Sunday’s Game 2 with a lower body injury, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek has been ruled out for Wednesday night’s Game 3 against the New York Islanders by head coach Rod Brind’Amour.

Brind’Amour continues to call Mrazek day-to-day, and he has not been ruled out for Game 4 Friday night.

Trailing 1-0 heading into the third period of Sunday’s Game, and with Mrazek leaving the game in the second period, the Hurricanes seem destined to come back home with the series even. But two goals within the first minute and a half of the third period, and Curtis McElhinney’s 17 saves to stave off New York’s attempt to rally, gave Carolina a 2-0 series lead.

Heading into Sunday’s game, Mrazek had a .929 save percentage and two shutouts over his previous six games. So even though the Hurricanes survived the remainder of Game 2 without him, any absence from Mrazek was easy to see as a momentum turner for the series.

McElhinney had a .917 save percentage over 33 regular season games, after being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’ll be making his first career playoff start on Wednesday night, with 104 minutes of playoff time for his career going into the game.

A hot goaltender is an equalizer in the NHL playoffs. Mrazek has been that for the underdog Hurricanes, as they came back to beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in the first round and then took two road games from the Islanders.

History says a 3-0 series lead is insurmountable, and the Hurricanes have that opportunity ahead of them with a chance to then complete a sweep at home on Friday night. But first things first, and Carolina will have to win Game 3 without Mrazek between the pipes.