NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 26: Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes tends net against the New York Islanders in Game One of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 26, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Hurricanes' Mrazek leaves Game 2 with injury

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek was forced to leave Game 2 during the second period and was replaced in goal by Curtis McElhinney.

Mrazek appeared to tweak something while making a save in the middle frame and won't be able to return to the contest due to a lower-body injury, the team announced.

Since Carolina is only traveling with two goalies in the playoffs, the team had an emergency netminder on call.

Todd Scarola will serve as the @NHLCanes backup goaltender for the remainder of today’s game.

Scarola played collegiately at Stony Brook University.
— Hurricanes PR (@CanesPR) April 28, 2019

McElhinney stopped all 17 shots he faced in relief as the Hurricanes held on for a 2-1 victory Sunday.

Mrazek was a major contributor to Carolina's regular-season turnaround and has been arguably the club's most important player in the playoffs, posting a 5-3 record with a .914 save percentage and two shutouts entering Game 2.

McElhinney hadn't appeared in the playoffs before being thrust into action Sunday afternoon. The 35-year-old went 20-11-2 with a .912 save percentage in the regular season.