We take a look at the Philadelphia Flyers vs Carolina Hurricanes series so far. For the Carolina Hurricanes, one good sweep may deserve another. Jordan Staal recorded a goal and an assist as the Hurricanes beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, to take a three games to none series lead. This Philadelphia Flyers vs Carolina Hurricanes series has gone about the way people have expected.
Carolina is showing why it may be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference with its seventh consecutive win to start the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canes will look to repeat the sweep like they did to the Ottawa Senators in round one.
Jalen Chatfield’s shorthanded goal served as the game winner and goalie Frederik Andersen made 18 saves to go 7-0 in the club’s first seven games of the postseason.
Trevor Zegras tied the game in the second period with a snap shot and Daniel Vladar made 26 saves in a losing effort for Philadelphia. Game 4 is 6 p.m. Saturday night.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Carolina Hurricanes
Mid-Series Recap
Extra Special Teams
Carolina used its special teams to get itself rolling. Staal’s power-play marker late in the first period gave itself an important goal on the road. The 5-on-4 goal was just what the Hurricanes needed to silence the home crowd.
Carolina’s second goal came a man down when Chatfield got his first goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Philadelphia had tied the game, but Chatfield’s goal nearly 13 minutes, 30 seconds after Zegras’ game-tying goal. The Hurricanes have been dangerous in all phases of the game this postseason. Carolina is dangerous enough when it’s 5-on-5. However, the Canes are proving be a massive headache even when down a man.
Andrei Svechnikov then buried a power play goal with 3:52 into the third period after Cam York went off for goaltender interference. The Canes were able to take advantage of the open ice with having a 4-on-3 in that situation.
(Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Press Wire)
O’ Captain! My, Captain!
Staal was ready to go for the Hurricanes and was able to get the Hurricanes off the mark with a power-play goal with the backhand goal late in the first period. The longtime captain wasn’t done yet making contributions. He played a key part in Chatfield’s goal to give Carolina the lead.
Staal may have been a little annoyed that he wasn’t nominated for the Selke Trophy. However, he was playing like the best player on both teams. He may be one of the oldest players on the ice, but he’s proven that he can still dictate a game when he needs to.
The Great Danes
Both Andersen and Nikolaj Ehlers had strong games for the Hurricanes. Andersen notched his seventh straight in between the pipes this postseason. Goaltending has seemingly been a problem for the Canes in seeing their playoff runs come to an unceremonious end. However, the Danish netminder has turned back time.
Ehlers’ goal on the high glove side gave Carolina a three-goal lead that took the air out of the building. Travis Konecny had a chance to make it a one-goal game and inject life into the Xfinity Mobile Arena. However, Andersen’s stop and Ehlers’ goal proved to backbreakers.
Dan (the Only Man) with a Plan
Vladar has continued to be the Flyers best player in their first Stanley Cup Playoff run since the COVID-19 bubble. The team is ahead of schedule, and the fans should be excited for the future. However, Vladar hasn’t gotten much run support from this young team.
Philadelphia has only managed three goals in three games so far this series. Rick Tocchet’s team has done a heck of a job in his first season with a team he played many seasons for. However, the clock may be striking midnight for the Flyers after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round.
There’s a lot to be excited about for the Flyers with players like Alex Bump and Porter Martone. However, there’s also plenty of work that needs to be done.
Main photo by: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
