Kuznetsov rifled a high shot over the near shoulder of Isles goalie Semyon Varlamov at 1:35 of the first period.

The Canes were second in the NHL on the power play this season and the Isles last in penalty killing. It looked that way as Carolina took the early lead. Necas and Skjei had the assists.

The Islanders tied it after Lee tipped a shot that Andersen stopped. But Kyle MacLean, the son of Isles (and former Hurricanes) assistant coach John MacLean, banged the loose puck in at 8:19 of the period.

The Canes killed off their first penalty of the playoffs, a high-sticking call against Andrei Svechnikov.

The Isles had eight shots to the Canes’ seven in the opening period. The Canes were credited with nine scoring chances to New York’s seven by naturalstattrick.com.

Hurricanes missing Fast

Hurricanes winger Jesper Fast was ruled out for Game 1 against the Islanders with a neck strain, but Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell said Friday it was “a matter of days” for the hard-working winger to return to the ice.

Fast was injured in the Hurricanes’ 82nd regular-season game Tuesday when Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson cross-checked him toward the net from behind. As he fell, Fast spun back-first into the end boards, getting up slowly. He did not return to the game and has not skated since, although he watched part of Friday’s practice from the tunnel to the bench.

“Until he gets in a practice, you can pretty much rule him out,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Friday.

Fast missed six games last month with a similar injury and three games in December with a concussion.

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