Islanders 5, Hurricanes 4: Colin McDonald scored twice to highlight a four-goal first period and Matt Martin also netted a pair as visiting New York dealt Carolina a blow in its quest for the postseason.

Cal Clutterbuck scored for the fourth time in six contests as the Islanders snapped a six-game winless skid (0-5-1) versus the Hurricanes. Defenseman Thomas Hickey and Ryan Strome each notched two assists and Anders Nilsson turned aside 24 shots.

Andrei Loktionov collected a goal and an assist and Jeff Skinner, Alexander Semin and Nathan Gerbe also tallied for the reeling Hurricanes, who have dropped 11 of their last 16. Anton Khudobin finished with 21 saves in relief of Cam Ward, who was pulled early in the first period after yielding three goals on nine shots.

McDonald and Clutterbuck cleaned up rebounds to give New York the quick lead before the former tallied again after depositing defenseman Calvin de Haan's centering feed past Ward at 6:12 of the first period. Khudobin relieved Ward and failed to locate a loose puck before Martin banged it home to give the Islanders a 4-0 lead midway through the first period.

Carolina trimmed the deficit as Skinner scored off his own rebound, Loktionov patiently deked Nilsson to the ice and Semin drilled a one-timer on the power play. Martin netted his second of the contest after a brilliant feed from Strome at 16:57 before Gerbe brought Carolina back within one just 22 seconds later. The Hurricanes, however, failed to net the equalizer.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ward has traditionally owned the Islanders, entering the contest with a 17-3-3 mark. ... New York D Kevin Czuczman notched an assist for his first NHL point on Martin's tally. ... Carolina C Riley Nash was playing in his 100th game.