RALEIGH, N.C. – Thursday’s 10th match of the season carries significant weight for the entertaining yet inconsistent Islanders, more so than normal for this early in the schedule.

It’s the clichéd “measuring stick” match against the Hurricanes – one of the Eastern Conference’s legitimate Stanley Cup contenders – at Lenovo Center. But, more important, the Islanders (4-4-1) must prove to themselves they can play consistent winning hockey after blowing two-goal leads at each of the first two stops on this four-game road trip, Tuesday’s 5-2 defeat in Boston and Saturday’s 4-3 shootout loss in Philadelphia .

“It’s a tough road trip and this is going to be a really big one coming up for our season right now and where we’re at,” Kyle MacLean told Newsday.

Finally, Matthew Schaefer will t

See Full Page