標籤: Flyers

For the first time since 1987, a team has won its first eight postseason games. At the time, it was the Edmonton Oilers led by Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. But on Saturday night, it was the young and hungry Carolina Hurricanes as they swept the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round with a 3-2 overtime win.

The game started quietly for the Hurricanes. This was the first game of the series where they failed to score in the first period. However, for the Flyers, they took the lead in the first 20 minutes, as Tyson Foster scored his first career postseason goal, with assists from both Trevor Zegras and rookie Porter Martone.

However, at halftime of the second period, Jackson Blake tied the score with assists from K’Andre Miller and Taylor Hall, and the Hurricanes responded. Then, 28 seconds later, Mark Jankowski put a goal on the board…but it didn’t stay on the board.

After the coach’s challenge to Flyers bench boss Rick Tocchet for goaltender interference. William Carrier and Oliver Bonk were battling in the crease when Jankowski’s shot hit the twine and thus, the goal was ruled out due to Carrier’s presence.

Still, a goal went ahead for Carolina four minutes into the third frame – a goal that this time was as perfect as rain and as fine as wine. Logan Stankoven got past goaltender Dan Vlader with a clean short wrister on a great pass by Hall. The entire second line had their shots, with Blake passing the puck to Hall for his second point of the night.

And it certainly wasn’t the last point of the game for the Hurricanes’ creative young winger.

But first, the Flyers forced overtime with a goal by Alex Bump, after which Travis Konecny ​​and Christian Dvorak managed to harass Miller enough to break the puck and send it his way.

When the extra frame arrived, the Hurricanes maintained the lead over the Flyers, spending time in their own zone and doubling them up in shots. However, the game-winner did not come as predicted. As new legs hit the ice for both teams, Jakob Slavin interrupted a chance for the Flyers to advance into the Hurricanes’ own zone as Hall gained control of the puck. Stankoven led the attack as Hall and Blake raced the net, and Hall got tape of Blake, who shot it – the rubber flapped before hitting Vladar.

Soon after, the line to shake hands started. It was the first time Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour had experienced this in Philadelphia since May 2, 1999 – it was his last postseason experience playing with them.

storm notes

The Hurricanes are the first team in NHL history to win two best-of-seven series in the four-round playoff format.

Shawn Walker left Philadelphia at 6 a.m. Saturday to return home for the birth of his first child. He arrived back in town to join the team in the afternoon, just four hours before Game 4 started.

The second line has been involved in a goal in seven of eight games this postseason. Stankoven, Blake and Hall are the top three players individually in both goals and points, and total 31 points with 22 assists and 14 goals.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes are just one win away from closing out the second round against the Philadelphia Flyers as they aim to accomplish that Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The game is scheduled for 6:00 pm EDT.

In Game 3 on Thursday night, the Hurricanes took a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with a 4-1 victory in the first tilt over the Flyers in their own barn. Like most games in the series, it was filled with penalties, including a two-minute minor boarding penalty against Taylor Hall (which was reviewed for a major penalty), several roughing penalties across teams, and a 10-minute foul on the Flyers’ top line winger, Travis Konecny.

A rarity, the Hurricanes had the edge on power-play chances. His special teams were effective, with only one of his four field goals coming at five-on-five.

You can read all about Game 3 here!

in the crease

With Frederik Andersen and Dan Vladar both performing well so far in the postseason, there is no reason to expect a change in net at this point.

Projected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin

goaltender

Frederick Anderson / Brandon Bussey

Projected Philadelphia Flyers Lines

Tyson Foster – Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny

Alex Bump – Trevor Zegras – Porter Martone

Carl Grundstrom – Denver Barkey – Matvey Mitchkov

Luke Glendening – Shawn Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

protect

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Noah Julson

goaltender

Dan Vladar/Samuel Ersson

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes power play: 14.7% (10th, up two spots from last game)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 94.6% (3rd)

Philadelphia Flyers Power Play: 9.1% (14th, down one spot from last game)
Philadelphia Flyers Penalty Kill: 84.2% (9th, down one spot from last game)

storm game notes

Entering Game 4 against a beleaguered Flyers team, the general expectation is that the intensity will be at its highest in this series. As such, there is a possibility that Nicolas Deslauriers could be added to the lineup for additional patience. If so, it will mark the first time in his 13-season career that he has faced a former team in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

On Thursday, Jordan Staal’s two points moved him ahead of the Hurricanes’ franchise record list, putting him in sole ownership of the fifth-most playoff points in franchise history, surpassing his brother Eric Staal, who he was tied with.

The Hurricanes’ top line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Seth Jarvis currently holds a very unique and ironic all-time playoff goals record. Aho currently has 37 goals (which is Svechnikov’s sweater number), while Svechnikov has 24 (which is Jarvis’ sweater number), and Jarvis has 20 (which is Aho’s sweater number).

Frederik Andersen is the first goaltender since Hockey Hall of Famer Jacques Plante in 1969 to start his first seven games of the postseason, going 7-0, while posting a goals-against average of 1.02 and a .957 save percentage or better.

Although the remainder of the postseason will only be available to watch via national broadcasts, local play-by-play announcer Mike Maniscalco and analyst Trip Tracy will continue to call games on the Hurricanes’ radio partner. 99.9 fan.

how to see

TV: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes picked up a decisive victory in Game 3 against the Philadelphia Flyers, but it was not without its own level of disaster.

On Thursday night, the Hurricanes handed the Flyers a 4–1 defeat as they took a 3–0 series lead. This was the first game in front of a Philly crowd since April 29, when the Flyers won Round One in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime.

Carolina was the first team on the board as Jordan Staal found the back of the net on the power play at the end of the first period. It was his first goal of the postseason, and it was a wonderful goal as he lofted it across the goal line on a backhand. Here both Andrei Svechnikov and Shayne Gostisbeer assisted him.

The second period soon arrived, and early in the frame, Jackson Blake took a delayed penalty for high-sticking against Cam York. However, the Flyers never really got going on the power play, as Trevor Zegras scored immediately afterward.

Later in the same frame, Taylor Hall took a hard hit on a falling Travis Sanheim, sending him into the boards. The play initially called for a five-minute main skit, but after review this was reduced to a two-minute short skit for boarding.

Just 11 seconds later, Jordan Staal and Jalen Chatfield teamed up on the penalty kill as they raced down the ice – Staal sent a daring pass to Chatfield through Zegras’ legs as the Hurricanes defenseman ripped a one-timer top shelf, returning them to the top of the scoreboard once again. Jordan Martinook was credited with an assist in the process.

Penalty Madness at the Midway Point

As the penalty kill resumed, Seth Jarvis had a shorthanded chance, but it was blocked by Jamie Drysdale – a move that should have been the end of the Flyers’ power play…except it didn’t.

After the whistle, Travis Konecny ​​began pushing and shoving Jarvis, and also cross-checked him. In retaliation, JARVIS swung his twig and caught it in his face. He was swiftly sent to the penalty box along with Drysdale as if nothing had ever happened – with the remaining 5-on-4 play in the Flyers’ favor.

…but that wasn’t the end of it either.

Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour was particularly unhappy with the lack of call against Konecny. The referee, Garrett Rank, had enough and he immediately whistled him for a bench minor due to unsportsmanlike conduct.

“Usually gets a warning,” Brind’Amour said after the game. “I didn’t get any warnings. But I was a little disappointed in that sequence with what happened. They had the original (penalty), and then I don’t know how we came up with just one (drawn penalty). That was a frustration.”

Luckily for the Hurricanes, they came away just fine in 5-on-3 hockey. This was something for which Brind’Amour expressed gratitude.

“People saved me from there – appreciate it.”

The third period saw another pair of goals for the Hurricanes as Andrei Svechnikov – who trails only Logan Stankoven in shots on goal on the team this postseason – scored his first goal of the playoffs. Sebastian Aho and Gostisbehere assisted on his power play goal, which was his second goal of the night.

Nikolaj Ehlers also scored soon after, hitting a dagger into the neutral zone. Jordan Martinook also had his second assist of the game, while K’Andre Miller had his fifth assist of the postseason, leading all Hurricane defensemen.

They don’t call them ‘Broad Street Bullies’ for nothing

As expected, the Flyers really started to show their teeth after that final goal. In the final few minutes, Konecny ​​received a two-minute minor penalty for pushing, a two-minute minor penalty for biting and a ten-minute penalty for the same tackle. Eric Robinson also got a few minutes in the box against Konecny.

Even more drama ensued after a whistle blew during the power play that the Hurricanes had earned from that ordeal. Rasmus Ristolainen started pushing on Stankoven, and soon, Nick Seiler came in to fight him. In response, Gostisbehere went after Ristolainen, and promptly worked on him.

The weight classes certainly did not match, with Gostisbehere and Stankoven both weighing under 185 pounds and less than six feet tall, while both of the Flyers’ defensemen were over six feet tall and weighed nearly 200 pounds. This was a topic that was noted during post-game pressers, as a reporter joked about Gostisbehere not being interested in weight classes.

“I guess they don’t either,” he said, laughing. “Just trying to help ‘Stanky’ out. I guess it does, but it is what it is.”

storm notes

The Hurricanes’ incredible 7–0 start to the postseason marks the fifth time on record that they have made it to the postseason, sharing the spot in history with the 1989 Montreal Canadiens (lost Stanley Cup Finals), the 1994 New York Rangers (won Stanley Cup Finals), the 2008 Pittsburgh Penguins (lost Stanley Cup Finals), and the 2024 Rangers (lost Eastern Conference Finals).

After missing Games 1 and 2, Alexander Nikishin returned to the lineup on Tuesday after clearing concussion protocol. The rookie defenseman was injured after a strong hit in Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators.

Taylor Hall’s six-game postseason-opening point streak officially ended Thursday, after failing to register a point on the scoresheet.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

After a thrilling overtime win on Monday night, the Carolina Hurricanes head north to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday for Game 3 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The game is scheduled for 8:00 PM EDT.

Game 2 between the Hurricanes and Flyers was memorable for second-line forward Taylor Hall, who has scored at least one point in every game for the Hurricanes this postseason. For the first time in his NHL playoff career, he scored the game-winning overtime goal.

However, reaching the conclusion was not the easiest. The Hurricanes were already down by two goals before five minutes of play had even begun. However, Nikolaj Ehlers’ power play goal in the first period and Seth Jarvis’ goal with new linemates Jordan Staal and Ehlers in the third frame were just what they needed to push into the extra frame.

You can read about all the big and small details of Monday’s game here!

After practice on Wednesday, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet announced that Noah Cates would miss the remainder of the series against the Hurricanes due to a lower body injury. Additionally, Christian Dvorak is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, and Owen Tippett’s return timeline is unclear.

in the crease

Frederik Andersen and Dan Vladar have both been excellent in their respective postseasons. With an extra day’s rest for the trip, there is no reason to believe there will be any changes in the net this time around.

Projected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin

goaltender

Frederick Anderson / Brandon Bussey

Projected Philadelphia Flyers Lines

Alex Bump – Trevor Zegras – Travis Konecny

Luke Glendening – Christian Dvorak – Matvei Mitchkov

Tyson Foster – Denver Barkey – Porter Martone

Garrett Wilson – Shawn Couturier – Carl Grundstrom

protect

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Emile Andre

goaltender

Dan Vladar/Samuel Ersson

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play: 12.0% (12th, down one spot from last game)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 93.8% (3rd, down two spots from last game)

Philadelphia Flyers power play: 10.7% (14th, down two spots from last game)
Philadelphia Flyers Penalty Kill: 86.2% (7th)

storm game notes

During Tuesday afternoon’s media availability, head coach Rod Brind’Amour announced that defenseman Alexander Nikishin has cleared concussion protocol. He suffered a concussion after a strong hit from Tyler Kleven in Game 4 of Round One with the Ottawa Senators.

In Game 2, Ehlers scored his first postseason goal as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. During his seven postseason appearances with the Winnipeg Jets, he scored nine goals.

After an incredible five-game goal streak to start the postseason, Logan Stankoven was held without a point in Game 2.

While the remainder of the postseason will only be available to watch via national broadcast, local play-by-play announcer Mike Maniscalco and analyst Trip Tracy will continue to call games on the Hurricanes’ local radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

how to see

TV: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes chased the game all night, as the Philadelphia Flyers jumped ahead quickly early in the night – but once the dust settled, the skates stopped, and K’Andre Miller’s sticks were no longer breaking from sight, it was the Hurricanes who took a 2-0 lead in the series in round two.

Taylor Hall, who scored the game-winning goal, was analytically critical of the Hurricanes’ play during interviews in the first period, and tipped his hat to the Flyers in the process.

“They’re quick on the puck, they’re quick in the fight, and they made some good plays…not a good start for us.”

After the night’s events, Hall mentioned on stage that he doesn’t have his A-game, but mentioned that his time in the league had taught him how to dig in and find a good ‘B-minus game,’ as he called it.

Maybe a B-minus, but it earned Hall top marks with the first postseason overtime game-winner of his NHL career.

However, it was a difficult path for the Hurricanes to reach that conclusion…

The first period started very differently than the previous periods

Less than five minutes into the game, Jamie Drysdale found the back of the net on the power play to put the Flyers ahead and force the Hurricanes to trail for the first time this postseason. Adding insult to injury was Flyers captain Sean Couturier, who squeaked the puck through the five-hole after just 39 seconds.

Just after the halfway point of the first period, Nikolaj Ehlers launched a heck of a one-timer from the right face-off circle on the power play — served up by Jackson Blake with some help from Miller — to cut the Flyers’ lead in half.

It was Ehlers’ first postseason goal with the Hurricanes.

Rod Brind’Amour plugged into a blender and threw in a pair of forward lines

Neither team could do anything else for the remainder of the first period and the entirety of the second.

Thus, head coach Rod Brind’Amour did as he does when he tries to make things happen for his team and changed a few players, sending Jordan Martinook to play on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov, while moving Seth Jarvis to play on the third line with Jordan Staal and Nikolaj Ehlers.

Lo and behold, that little spark lit things up for Jarvis, who, with the help of both of his new linemates, was able to tie the game midway through the third period. It was his first goal this season.

Bonus hockey, baby

Chances continued to be exchanged, but ultimately, things went into overtime – and it was a brutal extra frame for Frederik Andersen. Lasting 18:54, he faced his most shots in a single frame as the Hurricanes fell 15–8. Through defensive breakdowns, breakaways and at least three broken sticks for Miller, the Danish netminder turned it all around.

Then came the final goal – which Hall called ‘gritty’, he fell to his knees as the puck bounced around, Blake kept it alive before being pushed by the blade of Hall’s stick.

“Oh, it took a lot,” Hall said on the bench about what it took to win the game. “You know, maybe not our strongest effort. Freddy was unreal in overtime – but that’s hockey. They’re a good team, and they’re going to fight to the end.”

As for Ehlers, when he was on stage discussing his come-from-behind victory, he provided a solid analysis.

“You want adversity,” he told the media. “We had that in the Ottawa series as well. Because it’s going to happen again. And now, we know what we need to do the next time it happens.”

storm game notes

Drysdale’s game-opening goal ended an insane 618–51 streak of the Hurricanes not trailing in a game.

Logan Stankoven’s five-game postseason goal streak officially ended as he failed to get on the scoresheet.

Between the Hurricanes (6) and Flyers (7), there were a total of 13 power plays. This was the most confrontation between these two in a single game this season.

The second round between the Hurricanes and Flyers will continue on Thursday at 8:00 pm EDT, allowing an extra day for travel between games. Additionally, this would be the only game of the day.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes are no strangers to the heated competition of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, nor are they unfamiliar with the vice grip-like pressure of their opponents’ passionate fan bases. However, Saturday was a step into uncharted territory with an in-depth statement from an unexpected source.

On May 2, immediately after Game 1, a new episode of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s podcast, flyers talkBroadcast. In it, Flyers television play-by-play announcer Jim Jackson, Flyers reporter and host Ashlyn Sullivan, and reporter Jordan Hall reflect on the opening second-round series with the Hurricanes, and discuss what will be needed in the upcoming games.

However, to Jackson, a taboo topic was brought up that sounded like a call to injure Hurricanes goaltender Frederick Anderson.

Jackson said, “You have to get into Freddy Andersen’s grill; he’s not a goaltender who likes that stuff – he also gets injured by contact.” “I’m not saying ‘Go ahead, try to hurt him’, but if there is physical contact, there’s a possibility he could get hurt.”

However, despite an apparent effort to clear it up, he appeared to repeat the previous statement moments later.

“He’s one of those goaltenders that you want to take out of his game any way you can, and if he gets hurt, that’s OK – because he has a history of injuries, and he has a history of struggling a little bit in the playoffs when he gets off track a little bit.

“So, I think the Flyers are going to have to put in a little more effort to get him to that point.”

Physicality has always been a part of hockey, and especially so in the postseason, but it would seem that the suggestion of getting hurt by people with such a respected position is a bit unprecedented.

One Hurricanes fan analyzed, “It seems they don’t believe their team is good enough to beat the Canes and the only way they have is to intentionally make contact with Freddy and injure him.” “When someone makes a statement like that and then tries to soften it with a “but” you know what he’s expecting.”

“It’s crazy that he, a “professional”, thought that; but especially, he said it out loud,” said another.

“There is a former Flyer who will punish this behavior,” another fan said, referencing enforcer and grinder Nicolas Deslauriers, whom the Hurricanes acquired at the trade deadline.

Seriously, it’s a shame anyone would shed light on injury-related strategies, it’s something that has become all too common outside of the media and in the dark corners of sports fans, and as such, it’s no surprise that such ideas have made their way into the mainstream.

Perhaps this is less the result of passionate fans amid bitter postseason rivalries, and more a symptom of the times – a streak of darkness that society has allowed into its hearts and minds due to the toxic nature that has become common in the digital age.

Hopefully, there will be no wrongdoing in this dilemma – for either party.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

On Monday, the Carolina Hurricanes will face the Philadelphia Flyers for Game 2 of Round Two at Lenovo Center – fresh off a series-opening thriller on Saturday night.

The game is scheduled for 7:00 pm EDT.

In Game 1 of round two, the Hurricanes won with a decisive 3–0 shutout over the Owen Tippett-less Flyers, but it came with the help of play. Nearly 70 penalty minutes were assessed – many of which were due to brawls – and four players were ejected from the game early due to brawls in the third period.

In blanking the Flyers, Frederik Andersen became the first goaltender in franchise history to earn two consecutive series-opening shutouts after starting round one without allowing a single goal.

You can read all about Saturday’s game here!

in the crease

Both Frederik Andersen and Dan Vladar have played very well throughout the postseason – both earning two shutouts each. At this time, there is nothing to suggest there will be any changes in net in Game 2.

Projected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Mike Reilly

goaltender

Frederick Anderson / Brandon Bussey

Projected Philadelphia Flyers Lines

Alex Bump – Trevor Zegras – Porter Martone

Denver Barkey – Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny

Tyson Foster – Noah Cates – Matvei Mitchkov

Luke Glendening – Shawn Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

protect

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Noah Julson

goaltender

Dan Vladar/Samuel Ersson

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes power play: 10.5% (11th, down one spot from last game)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 96.0% (1st, up one spot from last game)

Philadelphia Flyers Power Play: 9.5% (12th)
Philadelphia Flyers Penalty Kill: 87.0% (seventh, up two spots from last game)

storm game notes

During Sunday’s press conference, head coach Rod Brind’Amour discussed the absence of Alexander Nikishin from Game 1 despite earlier speculation that he would be available. He said that before the game, the 24-year-old rookie defenseman told him that he did not feel ready and was therefore ruled out. Since then, Nikishin has yet to clear concussion protocol, so his availability for Game 2 remains unclear.

Following his game-opening score in Game 1 against the Flyers, Logan Stankoven became the youngest player in NHL history to begin the postseason with a five-game goal streak.

Following the conclusion of Round One, all Hurricanes games for the remainder of the postseason will be televised nationally only – like any other team. However, the Hurricanes’ local radio partner, 99.9 The Fan, will still broadcast play-by-play by Mike Manisalco and analysis by Trip Tracy.

how to see

TV: ESPN
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNut. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

Logan Stankoven is currently the living, breathing embodiment of the chaos and suffocation that the Carolina Hurricanes are known for.

Their second line was the first line on the board against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, as it has in every game this postseason. It was Stankoven who scored the first goal just 1:31 into the game – the third-fastest playoff goal in franchise history – as he extended his postseason-opening goal-streak to five, becoming the youngest player in NHL history to do so.

The next goal came off the stick of Jackson Blake at exactly 7:30 in the first period, helping Stankoven earn his second point of the game. Assists came from Taylor Hall and Mike Reilly, who interestingly scored his second point of the game, also assisting on Stankoven’s goal.

As for Reilly, who was filling in for Alexander Nikishin after he failed to clear the NHL’s concussion protocol, he had only 1:42 of ice time in three shifts when he played a crucial second game to help the Hurricanes advance. It was his first multi-point game since December 23, 2023, when he was with the New York Islanders – ironically, they were playing against the Hurricanes.

The third and final goal of the game was, once again, Stankoven’s – the goal came on a wonderful pass from Seth Jarvis, assisted by Andrei Svechnikov. Stankoven had just come off the bench, and fell down while doing so, but that little mishap put him in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net.

When play resumed after the goal, Stankoven wasted no time in trying to get a hat trick – firing the puck over Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar immediately after winning the following faceoff. He didn’t get that third goal, but the Snapperjacks certainly tried, tying Sean Couturier on goal for a game-leading five shots.

Frederik Andersen earns second shutout of postseason campaign

However, Stankoven certainly wasn’t the only standout in the match.

Throughout his 60 minutes on the ice, Frederik Andersen turned away every shot he faced en route to a 19-save shutout. During an empty-net situation, he also responsibly missed a potential goaltender’s chance with clear ice ahead. He may have taken a tripping penalty against Porter Marton, but he produced an incredibly disciplined performance in the Hurricanes’ 3–0 win.

Saturday night is fight night’

A melee broke out at the Lenovo Center, slowly moving from silly to downright chaotic. In the first period, Nick Seiler playfully grabbed Jordan Martinook’s stick and appeared to hit himself in the face on the Flyers power play…somehow.

Later, the aforementioned Marton trip from Andersen came when Jakob Slavin slid straight into the net.

But then, things turned dangerous.

In the final minute of the second period, Andrei Svechnikov took a hit on rookie Martone in a board battle for the puck, and Tyson Foster took a hard hit to the back of Andrei Svechnikov’s right knee – the same knee that required surgery to repair a torn ACL in the 2022–23 season.

Svechnikov remained down due to Hurricanes head athletic trainer Doug Bennett running onto the ice, and the game was called for a five-minute major before review reduced it to a two-minute minor. Thankfully, Svechnikov did not go down the tunnel and was able to finish the game.

However, this was not the end of things. Rough penalties were given throughout the final frame, and an altercation between Jackson Blake and Trevor Zegras resulted in both of them receiving 10-minute misconducts with 8:14 left. It was the first misconduct of Jackson Blake’s NHL career, and the second misconduct of Zegras’ postseason following a Game 4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round One.

Less than two minutes later, Shayne Gostisbehere and Seiler were both given 10-minute misconducts for their moment of scuffling after an offside whistle.

By the end of the game, both teams had a combined 34 penalty minutes, equaling 68.

TJ Luxmore followed up that whole mess with a simple announcement:

“Multiple penalties, it will be a power play”

Storm with the man advantage, Zegras and Blake have left the game, clips are coming #SoundTheSiren #LetsGoFlyers #nhl #stanleycup

– Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) 3 May 2026

storm game notes

The Carolina Hurricanes are the fifth team in NHL history not to trail in their first five playoff games. The Washington Capitals were the last to do so in the 1986 postseason campaign, extending their series to six games.

With his sixth goal of the postseason, Logan Stankoven tied Matt Boldy and Brandon Hagel for the leaguewide lead. Both Boldy and Hagel have played one more game than Stankoven.

Of the 14 goals scored by the Hurricanes this postseason, 10 had at least one second-row player (Stankoven, Blake, Hall) on the scoresheet.

Notching his 24th postseason win with the Hurricanes, Anderson passed Cam Ward for most playoff wins in franchise history. Additionally, with his fourth postseason shutout with the Hurricanes, Anderson tied Ward for the most in franchise history. Rock on, Freddy.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

On Saturday, the Carolina Hurricanes begin the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs as they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to Lenovo Center. Interestingly, the matchup comes before Round One even reaches its conclusion, as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens will need a Game 7 on Sunday to decide their series.

Game 1 between the Hurricanes and Flyers is scheduled for 8:00 pm EDT.

In the Hurricanes’ first-round series, they defeated the Ottawa Senators in four games with key play from their second line, which consisted of Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Taylor Hall. At least one of those three players contributed to seven of the Hurricanes’ eleven goals in the series.

I recently outlined three big positives and three big negatives from the Hurricanes’ first-round performance. You can read all about it here!

Meanwhile, the Flyers did not fail to impress in their return to the postseason after a five-year absence. In their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they took a three-nil lead against their neighbors to the west before defeating them in overtime during Game 6.

in the crease

While Frederik Andersen was absent from practice Friday morning, head coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed that it was only a rest day and that he would start Game 1 against the Flyers.

Meanwhile, Dan Vladar is also expected to start for the Flyers after playing all six games of the last round.

Projected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Taylor Hall – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

William Carrier – Mark Jankowski – Eric Robinson

protect

Jacob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Shawn Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Alexander Nikishin

goaltender

Frederick Anderson / Brandon Bussey

Projected Philadelphia Flyers Lines

Owen Tippett – Trevor Zegras – Porter Marton

Denver Barkey – Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny

Tyson Foster – Noah Cates – Matvei Mitchkov

Luke Glendening – Shawn Couturier – Garnet Hathaway

protect

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Noah Julson

goaltender

Dan Vladar/Samuel Ersson

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play: 13.3% (10th)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 95.2% (2nd)

Philadelphia Flyers Power Play: 11.8% (12th)
Philadelphia Flyers Penalty Kill: 84.2% (9th)

storm game notes

During Friday morning’s practice, both Frederick Anderson and William Carrier were absent – ​​but Rod Brind’Amour later said it was just a rest day for both of them. Additionally, both Alexander Nikishin and Nikolaj Ehlers completed full rehearsals.

All four games between the Hurricanes and Flyers in the regular season went to overtime, three of which went to shootouts. Interestingly, the Flyers won the first game of the season against the Hurricanes on April 13, clinching their spot in the playoffs.

Following the conclusion of the Hurricanes’ first-round series, the broadcast became national-only, as every team does. However, Hurricanes play-by-play Mike Maniscalco and analyst Trip Tracy will still call games on the team’s radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

how to see

TV: ABC
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

For the first time in 20 years, the Carolina Hurricanes established themselves as the best Eastern Conference team throughout the regular season. It didn’t come with any dramatic impact, nor did it come with any spectacular victory – but it came nonetheless.

Starting the night with some of their six best players out of the starting lineup, they faced a hungry Philadelphia Flyers team that was fighting for a postseason opportunity.

The first period was all Carolina, taking a two-goal lead by the end of the frame. The first goal came off the stick of Bradley Nadeau, with an assist from Nikolaj Ehlers, who sent a no-look pass to the rookie who had positioned himself in the slot.

A few minutes later, the Hurricanes got the man advantage due to a holding penalty, which Ehlers managed to capitalize on. In doing so, he achieved the first 70-point season of his 11-season career.

However, the second period belonged to the Flyers – scoring two to tie the game. The first goal came from Matvei Michkov, thanks to a Hurricanes concession as the game began. His second goal, meanwhile, was during the power play – a snapshot of penalty-drawer Trevor Zegras who was left completely alone by Brandon Bussey’s net.

During halftime, Ehlers talked about the two goals he allowed, recognizing that they were the result of puck mismanagement and that it was something he would need to tighten up in the following frames.

In fact, they worked together defensively in the final period, giving up only four possessions compared to nine in the second period. But ultimately, Philadelphia wasn’t giving up that much. The game remained deadlocked through regulation, and then as has happened every time they faced each other this season, they went into overtime.

As the extra frames opened, the Hurricanes had scored the points needed to win the Eastern Conference. Additionally, the Flyers’ overtime points eliminated the Columbus Blue Jackets from the playoffs.

However, nothing was achieved in five minutes of three-on-three and they were locked in a shootout for the third time in four matches played together.

The decider came in the fourth round of the shootout, as Tyson Foster managed to defeat Brandon Bussey, becoming the third skater to do so in the 14 rounds played by the goaltender this season.

With their win, the Flyers clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division – the only remaining playoff spot in the Eastern Conference – and clinched a spot in the postseason for the first time since 2020. Interestingly, the only Eastern playoff matchup confirmed for the postseason is now the Flyers against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are in second place in the Metro Division.

(PSST, Philly Hockey Now’s William James wrote a great article on the Flyers’ playoff clinch – be sure to check it out if you want to see the Flyers’ perspective!)

storm notes

Nicolas Deslauriers’ return to Philadelphia, where he will be playing through the 2022-23 season, has been more difficult than usual. Literally. He had 11 hits on his former teammates (notably Rasmus Ristolainen and Emil Andre, who had three hits each). This tied his career high for most hits in a single game, which he set in a game against the Dallas Stars on March 13, 2018, when he was a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

During the second period, Jalen Chatfield took a heavy hit from Owen Tippett. He was slow to get up and proceeded to walk down the tunnel, but returned to the game shortly afterwards. It was his first game since suffering a lower-body injury against the Boston Bruins last Tuesday.

The loss was the Hurricanes’ first in Philadelphia since March 5, 2020.

The last time the Hurricanes finished first in the Eastern Conference was in the 2005–06 season.

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

The Carolina Hurricanes will face the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday in a Metropolitan Division matchup that should make a lot of sense for the home team, who have been dominating in the postseason as they try to hold off two other undefeated teams – the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals.

The game is scheduled for 7:00 pm EDT.

In his previous games…

On Saturday, the Hurricanes won 4–1 against the Utah Mammoth in their final Western Conference matchup of the regular season. In doing so, Andrei Svechnikov reached an all-time high of 31 goals for the first time in his NHL career. Additionally, Jordan Staal joined the 20-goal club, bringing the total number of Hurricanes players to seven. It was the first time since the 2015–16 season that he had reached this milestone.

As the game concluded, an empty net goal scored by Sean Walker broke a record in Hurricanes history, giving the Hurricanes their most goals in a regular season campaign with 287, surpassing the 2005–06 season’s 286.

However, there was another special occasion that highlighted the night, when Jakob Slavin and his brother Josiah skated together in their first regular season NHL game. She and her family had some really interesting thoughts to share about this special moment – ​​you can read all about it here!

Still, the Slavin duo won’t be in Monday’s game. On Sunday, Josiah was reassigned to the Chicago Wolves.

On the other side of the ice, the Flyers – against all odds – managed to get ahead of the crowd and move into third place in the Metro, as the Atlantic Division’s Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators have already claimed both Eastern Conference wild cards.

The arrival of prospect Porter Martone from Michigan State University has been a huge boon for the Spartans after their NCAA hockey championship loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in late March. In only seven games with the big club, Martone has averaged one point per game, scored three goals and has already collected four assists. He has remained goalless in only two matches so far.

in the crease

In their last game, the Hurricanes broke form as they ran out Frederik Andersen twice in a row, starting against the Chicago Wolves and then against the Mammoth. That being said, Brandon Bussey is the most likely option for Monday’s matchup with the Flyers. His save percentage this season is .890, with a goals-against average of 2.52 with a 30-6-1 record.

Meanwhile, the Flyers have leaned heavily on Daniel Vladar. Throughout the season, he has borne the brunt of the starts with 49 starts to Samuel Ersson’s 28. His numbers have also been favorable compared to the young netminder.

The Flyers haven’t shied away from consistently giving a starting goaltender, and there’s a good chance they’ll get the remaining two for Philadelphia this season. Vladar has a save percentage of .904 this season, with a goals-against average of 2.47 with a 27-14-7 record.

Expected Carolina Hurricane Lines

Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis

Nikolaj Ehlers – Jordan Staal – Jordan Martinook

Nicolas Deslauriers – Jespri Kotkaniemi – Eric Robinson

Josiah Slavin – Skyler Brind’Amour – Bradley Nadeau

protect

Jacob Slavin – Shayne Gostisbeer

Alexander Nikishin – Shawn Walker

Mike Reilly – Charles-Alexis Legault

goaltender

Brandon Bussey/Frederick Anderson

Expected Philadelphia Flyers Lines

Tyson Foster – Trevor Zegras – Owen Tippett

Travis Konecny ​​- Christian Dvorak – Porter Martone

Denver Barkey – Noah Cates – Matvei Mitchkov

Garnet Hathaway – Shawn Couturier – Luke Glendening

protect

Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Emile Andre

goaltender

Dan Vladar/Samuel Ersson

special teams

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play: 24.7% (5th, up one spot from last game)
Carolina Hurricanes Penalty Kill: 80.6% (10th, up one spot from last game)

Philadelphia Flyers Power Play: 15.5% (32nd)
Philadelphia Flyers Penalty Kill: 77.6% (21st)

storm game notes

The Hurricanes have only two games remaining in the regular season: Monday vs. the Flyers and Tuesday vs. the New York Islanders – both Metropolitan Division teams.

Recently, it has been difficult to maintain the Hurricanes’ lineup due to a lack of practice and frequent rest of players in preparation for the postseason. Therefore, the above lineup is merely a projection based on the lines played in the previous game.

how to see

TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 99.9 The Fan

Rachel Barkley is a beat writer covering the Carolina Hurricanes for Carolina Hockey Now on SportsNote. Painting Stories…More About Rachel Barclay

An unlucky day in Newark got even worse when the New Jersey Devils were officially eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Philadelphia Flyers following the firing of general manager Tom Fitzgerald.

Philly had a ton on the line coming into the Prudential Center on Tuesday as a win would raise their hopes for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to 70.3%, while a loss would cut their hopes in half to 36.6%.

Well, the Devils have officially been eliminated from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

New Jersey got off to a bad start Tuesday night, allowing the Flyers to take control of the pace of the game early.

As a result, the Devils’ defensive zone coverage was caught sleeping, and Travis Sanheim found Trevor Zegras on an open backdoor pass to Jacob Markstrom to give Philly an early 1–0 lead.

About 30 seconds later, Jack Hughes was whistled for tripping Owen Power, giving the Flyers their first power play of the game.

One minute into the Flyers man advantage, Porter Martone fed a streaking Zegras at the top of Markstrom’s crease while handling the puck along the far wall, redirecting the puck to Markstrom to give the Flyers an instant 2–0 lead.

The Devils began to swing the ice back their way in the latter half of the opening frame. Hughes and company finally pressured Flyers goaltender Dan Vlader with several chances.

Cody Glass eventually cut the Flyers’ lead in half to 2–1 when Jonas Seigenthaler found open ice, fired a shot on net that went past the Devils and past Vladar.

The Devils scored on a power play early in the second period after the Flyers were caught with too many men on the ice.

As the penalty ended, Tyson Foerster gained control of the puck at the Philly blueline, headed a 2-on-1 opportunity toward the Devils’ zone, and opted to shoot past Markstrom to extend the Flyers’ lead to 3–1.

Jesper Bratt had a chance to make a comeback against the Flyers when he found himself alone on a breakaway against Vladar. Still, his backhand chance went over the net, starting the Flyers odd-man rush to the other side.

In a tic-tac-toe game, Foerster scored his second goal of the night on a feed from Zegras, increasing the Flyers’ lead to 4–1.

An uneventful third period made no difference for the Devils.

Nick Seiler scored an empty net goal, a dagger on the game and the 2025–26 season, sealing a 5–1 defeat, the Devils’ 35th defeat of the season.

Markstrom made 13 saves on 17 shots, leading to his 19th loss of the season.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The New Jersey Devils (40-34-3, 83 points) will try to bolster their slim Stanley Cup playoff hopes when they host the Philadelphia Flyers (39-26-12, 90 points) on Tuesday.

The Devils are 8-3-1 in their last 12 games at home and 4-0-1 in their last five games at the Prudential Center. They are within seven points of the Flyers for the final playoff spot with only four games left.

The Flyers are extremely bullish and have moved up to third place in the Metropolitan Division. They are 14-6-1 since the Olympic break and 9-1 in their last 10 road games.

Here’s what to expect from Tuesday’s huge game at the Rock.

What to Know vs Flyers

• The Devils are 0-2 against the Flyers and have gone 11-6 against them this season.
• Captain Nico Hischier has 12 points in the Devils’ last 10 games and has four points (2 goals, 2 assists) against the Flyers this year.
• Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom has a .930 save%, 2.17 GAA and one shutout in 14 career games against the Flyers.
• Jack Hughes has 36 points (13 goals, 23 assists) in the Devils’ last 20 games and has 17 points in 11 home games since the Olympic break.
• The Flyers have 10 players scoring at least 10 goals this season, including Owen Tippett’s 28 goals.
• Porter Martone scored his first NHL goal in overtime in Philadelphia’s 2-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
• Goalie Dan Vladar is 2-0-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .910 save% against the Devils this season
• Matvei Michkov has scored four goals in six games against the Devils and has 11 goals and 27 points in 38 road games this year.

2025-26 vs flyers

11/22/25: L6-3 Xfinity Mobile Arena

11/29/25: L5-3 Prudential Center

4/7/26: 7:30 PM ET Prudential Center

devils vs flyers

All-time record: 126-121-18-9

All-time home record: 77-47-8-5

All-time road record: 49-74-10-4

Projected Devils Lineup*

Ahead

Timo Meyer – Nico Hischier – Dawson Mercer

Jasper Bratt – Jack Hughes – Connor Brown

Lenny Haminaho – Cody Glass – Nick Bjugstad

Evgeny Dadonov – Mark McLaughlin – Brian Halonen

defenseman

Jonas Seigenthaler – Dougie Hamilton

Luke Hughes – Jonathan Kovacevic

Brendan Dillon – Simon Nemec

goalkeeper

jacob markstrom

jake allen

Projected Flyers Lineup*

Ahead

Tyson Foster – Trevor Zegras – Owen Tippett

Travis Konecny ​​- Christian Dvorak – Porter Martone

Alex Bump – Noah Cates – Matvei Mitchkov

Shawn Couturier – Luke Glendening – Carl Grundstrom

defenseman

Travis Sanheim- Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seiler – Emile Andre

goalkeeper

and vlader

samuel irson

How to watch the Devils game – (7:30 p.m. ET)

Watch: ESPN+/Hulu

radio: devils hockey net

next up

Thu, Apr 9 vs PIT 7:00 PM ET

Saturday, April 11, 5:00 pm ET

Sunday, April 12 vs. OTT, 7:00 PM ET

Tuesday, April 14, BOS 7:00 PM ET

Pat Pickens is an award-winning sports writer and author who has covered the NHL since 2013. He reveals more about Pat Pickens.

华盛顿首都队 (38-28-9) 回到主场并成功保住了季后赛的希望。周二，他们在对手费城飞人队 (37-25-12) 的比赛中打入 6 个进球，以 6-4 获胜。

对于汤姆·威尔逊来说，这是一个特别的夜晚，他正在参加职业生涯第 900 场 NHL 比赛。替补队长贡献了两个进球，其中包括最后时刻的空网进球。

“我认为我们团队的伟大之处在于每个人都在贡献力量，”威尔逊说。

亚历克斯·奥维奇金（Alex Ovechkin）也创造了历史，他职业生涯中已经有 20 个赛季打进 30 球。这位40岁的球员还以两个进球结束了当晚的比赛。

“显然，这是一场巨大的比赛，”奥韦奇金说。 “你可以看到每个人都在同一立场上。每个人都立即定下了基调。

第二节费城队2-0领先，最终将比分追成2-2平。然而，首都队以雅各布·奇克伦（Jakob Chychrun）和瑞安·莱昂纳德（Ryan Leoanard）的连续强力进球作为回应。

皮埃尔-吕克·杜布瓦也度过了一个重要的夜晚，他送出了三次助攻。他甚至帮助实现了两个强力进球。

接下来，首都队将在周四晚上访问新泽西州，进行一场前往纽瓦克的快速客场之旅。

资本分析

首都队的领导人很早就定下了基调，奥维奇金和威尔逊展示了他们的身体素质。紧接着，两人便同时进攻。

首先，威尔逊在开局时将首都队放在了第一位。这位31岁的球员打进了他本赛季的第26个进球，结束了个人五场比赛的进球荒。

几分钟后，奥维奇金冲到前场，掩护了马特·罗伊的传球，将比分改写为2-0。这是他本赛季的第 30 个进球，这位 40 岁的球员在他 21 年的职业生涯中已经有 20 个赛季打入 30 球。奥维奇金唯一没有进球 30 的赛季是因新冠疫情而缩短的 2020-21 赛季。

第二节初期，费城队将势头转向有利。特拉维斯·桑德海姆和卡尔·格伦德斯特罗姆在 4 分 36 秒内连续进球，将比分追成 2-2。

然而，首都队很快就在强力进攻中做出了回应，奇伦（Chychrun）在丹·弗拉达尔（Dan Vladar）面前射出了一记一次性投篮。这位蓝线球员恰好在他 28 岁生日那天进球，他本赛季的 24 粒进球领先所有 NHL 防守队员。

随后，首都队再次占据人力优势，伦纳德打进了他本赛季的第16个进球。杜波依斯助攻两粒强力进球，华盛顿队以 4-2 领先。

第三节，凭借克里斯蒂安·德沃夏克和丹佛·巴基的进球，费城继续将比分差距缩小到一分。然而，奥维契金的回应是埋葬了他当晚的第二次得分和今年的第 31 次得分。

洛根·汤普森在比赛最后时刻也挺身而出，24次射门，20次扑救。比赛最后时刻，威尔逊以 5-4 领先，投进一记单打，以两记进球结束了这个特殊的夜晚。

首都成绩单

团队：A-

尽管飞人队试图重整旗鼓，但首都队仍取得了三连胜。他们的进攻和身体素质贯穿整个晚上。

亚历克斯·奥维奇金：A+

奥维契金打入两球，赛季进球数达到 31 球。这位40岁的球员在过去三场比赛中打入五球，在过去七场比赛中打进七球。

汤姆·威尔逊：A+

威尔逊在职业生涯第 900 场比赛中取得了两个进球。这位31岁的球员现在有26个进球，是球队中第二多的。

皮埃尔-吕克·杜布瓦：A

杜布瓦当晚送出三次助攻。这位 27 岁的球员为威尔逊的两记强力进球以及空门得分提供了帮助。

首都权力游戏：A

当晚，凭借奇克伦和伦纳德的进球，球队3投2中。首都队现在连续三场比赛都有强力进球，过去五场比赛中有四场都有进球。

哈里·利奇曼 (Harry Lichtman) 是一位屡获殊荣的记者，为《Sportsnaut》报道华盛顿首都队。他还为网站做出贡献…更多关于 Harry Lichtman

華盛頓首都隊 (38-28-9) 回到主場並成功保住了季後賽的希望。週二，他們在對手費城飛人隊 (37-25-12) 的比賽中打進 6 球，以 6-4 獲勝。

對於湯姆威爾森來說，這是一個特別的夜晚，他正在參加職業生涯第 900 場 NHL 比賽。替補隊長貢獻了兩個進球，其中包括最後時刻的空網進球。

「我認為我們團隊的偉大之處在於每個人都在貢獻力量，」威爾森說。

亞歷克斯·奧維奇金（Alex Ovechkin）也創造了歷史，他職業生涯中已經有 20 個賽季打進 30 球。這位40歲的球員還以兩個進球結束了當晚的比賽。

「顯然，這是一場巨大的比賽，」奧韋奇金說。 「你可以看到每個人都在同一立場上。每個人都立即定下了基調。

第二節費城隊以2-0領先，最終將比數追成2-2平手。然而，首都隊以雅各布·奇克倫（Jakob Chychrun）和瑞安·萊昂納德（Ryan Leoanard）的連續強力進球作為回應。

皮埃爾-呂克·杜布瓦也度過了一個重要的夜晚，他送出了三次助攻。他甚至幫助實現了兩個強力進球。

接下來，首都隊將在周四晚上訪問新澤西州，進行前往紐瓦克的快速客場之旅。

資本分析

首都隊的領導人很早就定下了基調，奧維奇金和威爾遜展示了他們的身體素質。緊接著，兩人便同時進攻。

首先，威爾森在開局時將首都隊放在了第一位。這位31歲的球員打進了他本賽季的第26個進球，結束了個人五場比賽的進球荒。

幾分鐘後，奧維奇金衝到前場，掩護了馬特·羅伊的傳球，將比分改寫為2-0。這是他本賽季的第 30 個進球，這位 40 歲的球員在他 21 年的職業生涯中已經有 20 個賽季打進 30 球。奧維奇金唯一沒有進球 30 的賽季是因新冠疫情而縮短的 2020-21 賽季。

第二節初期，費城隊將勢頭轉向有利。特拉維斯·桑德海姆和卡爾·格倫德斯特羅姆在 4 分 36 秒內連續進球，將比分追成 2-2。

然而，首都隊很快就在強力進攻中做出了回應，奇倫（Chychrun）在丹·弗拉達爾（Dan Vladar）面前射出了一記一次性投籃。這位藍線球員恰好在他 28 歲生日那天進球，他本賽季的 24 粒進球領先所有 NHL 防守隊員。

隨後，首都隊再次佔據人力優勢，倫納德打進了他本賽季的第16個進球。杜波依斯助攻兩顆強力進球，華盛頓以 4-2 領先。

第三節，憑藉克里斯蒂安·德沃夏克和丹佛·巴基的進球，費城繼續將比分差距縮小到一分。然而，奧維契金的回應是埋葬了他當晚的第二次得分和今年的第 31 次得分。

洛根·湯普森在比賽最後時刻也挺身而出，24次射門，20次撲救。比賽最後時刻，威爾森以 5-4 領先，投進一記單打，以兩記進球結束了這個特殊的夜晚。

首都成績單

團隊：A-

儘管飛人隊試圖重整旗鼓，但首都隊仍取得了三連勝。他們的進攻和身體素質貫穿整個晚上。

亞歷克斯·奧維奇金：A+

奧維契金打進兩球，賽季進球數達到 31 球。這位40歲的球員在過去三場比賽中打進五球，在過去七場比賽中打進七球。

湯姆威爾森：A+

威爾森在職業生涯第 900 場比賽中取得了兩個進球。這位31歲的球員現在有26個進球，是球隊中第二多的。

皮埃爾-呂克·杜布瓦：A

杜布瓦當晚送出三次助攻。這位 27 歲的球員為威爾遜的兩記強力進球以及空門得分提供了幫助。

首都權力遊戲：A

當晚，憑藉奇克倫和倫納德的進球，球隊3投2中。首都隊現在連續三場比賽都有強力進球，過去五場比賽中有四場都有進球。

哈里·利奇曼 (Harry Lichtman) 是一位屢獲殊榮的記者，為《Sportsnaut》報道華盛頓首都隊。他還為網站做出貢獻…更多關於 Harry Lichtman

The Washington Capitals (32-27-7) scoring problems continued on Wednesday night. They were not able to generate much offense as they lost 4–1 to the Philadelphia Flyers (30–23–11).

The Capitals got things going, at least in the first period. Ryan Leonard took an early 1–0 lead with a power-play goal.

However, things turned sour after that. The Capitals made things more complicated and let Philadelphia take over the rest of the way.

Travis Konecny ​​and Trevor Zegras each scored to give the Flyers a 2–1 lead in the middle frame. As far as this rivalry is concerned, players from both the teams also got involved in it.

The Capitals tried to swing the momentum back in their favor but failed. Jamie Drysdale and Owen Tippett added two more points in the third for Philadelphia.

Next, the Capitals continue their road set of back-to-backs by heading to Buffalo on Thursday.

capitals analysis

The Capitals started the power play early in the game, but Tom Wilson was tired from his previous innings. Luckily, that’s when Leonard came into the top PP unit.

Leonard drove into the slot and hit a quick shot past Samuel Ersson about 10 minutes into the opening period. The 21-year-old now has 13 goals this season and extended his point streak to four games. Additionally, Leonard has 34 points, fourth-most among rookies in the NHL this season.

The Capitals went 1-for-3 on the man advantage on Wednesday night as they now have goals in three of their last four games.

Unfortunately, the second period is where things fell apart for the Capitals. A number of mistakes resulted in Philadelphia taking advantage.

First, a wide open Konecny ​​shot a pass from Logan Thompson in the right circle to tie the score at 1-1. Then, Zegras and Tippett went 2-on-0, as Zegras scored to make it 2–1 Philadelphia.

Things got extra playful as usual with these two arch rivals. Brandon Duhaime got into it with Nikita Grebenkin, while Wilson traded blows with Konecny. Afterwards, a frustrated Rasmus Sandin threw Tippett onto the ice.

Spencer Carberry once again changed the lines in hopes of better chemistry. However, as much as the Capitals tried to rally, they relied too heavily on passing rather than shooting the puck.

Down 3-1, the Capitals added an extra attacker in hopes of a miracle comeback. However, Tippett sealed it with an empty-net.

capitals report card

Team: C-

The first period was strong for the Capitals, but that was it. The team once again struggled to find the net and relied heavily on passing the puck.

Ryan Leonard: A

Leonard came on the power play in the first period. The rookie now has 13 goals and 34 points on the season.

Timothy Liljegren: B

Liljegren was solid in his Capitals debut after being acquired from San Jose. The Swedish blueliner showed off his two-way game and helped keep Philadelphia’s forwards out of the crease. He finished the night with a team-leading three blocks.

Jacob Chykrun 😀

It was one of the weaker nights for the Capitals’ best blueliner this season. Chykrun finished with a plus/minus of minus-4 and received a bounty.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

The Washington Capitals (30-23-7) officially return to action after the Olympic break. Despite a slow start, they picked up a 3-1 home win over the Philadelphia Flyers (25-21-21) on Wednesday night.

The Capitals were also without both the alternate captains. Tom Wilson was out with an illness, while John Carlson is still day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

The first period was tough, but Rasmus Sandin was able to break the scoreless tie in the middle frame and make it 1–0 Capitals.

After Philadelphia equalized early in the third, Trevor van Riemsdyk responded with the game-winning goal later on. Aliaksei Protas eventually sealed it with an empty-net.

“We know where we are in the standings,” van Riemsdyk said. “We had three weeks to look at that, look at the numbers and know that we couldn’t afford any more losses.”

Logan Thompson was also fantastic in his return after representing Canada at the Winter Olympics. On his 29th birthday, he stopped 23 of 24 shots.

Next, the Capitals will host Vegas in a rematch of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals on Friday night.

capitals analysis

The Capitals were closed for almost three weeks due to the Olympic holiday and its impact was visible early on. For most of the opening period, the Capitals spent time in the defensive zone and were outscored 8–1.

However, that’s when the Capitals started to click as they generated more zone time and pressure.

Without Wilson, Hendricks Lapierre came into the lineup and really made a big impact. He showed off his two-way game while playing on the fourth line with Brandon Duhaime and Nick Dowd.

Late in the middle frame, Lapierre found Sandin coming off the bench as he fired a shot over Dan Vladar. The Capitals broke the scoreless tie as Lapierre now has three points in his last eight games.

Noah Cates tied the score at 1–1 for Philadelphia early in the third, but the Capitals eventually responded. Declan Chisholm fed the puck to Van Riemsdyk, who buried it for the go-ahead goal with 5:52 remaining in regulation. It was the 34-year-old blueliner’s second accomplishment of the season.

With less than a minute remaining, the Capitals got a late penalty kill due to a delay of game call on Nick Dowd. Still, the defense stood up and Protas sealed it with an empty-netter.

The 25-year-old has now reached the 20-goal mark in consecutive seasons. He also reached the 20-assist mark with his contribution to van Riemsdyk’s game-winner.

However, it also helped that the Capitals got Thompson back in net. The Olympic silver medalist made some important stops and ousted the likes of Trevor Zegras and Matvey Mitchkov.

capitals report card

Team: B

The Capitals got off to a slow start, but eventually turned it around in the middle frame. The team got goals from two defensemen who don’t score often.

Logan Thompson: A

Thompson accomplished the feat on his birthday with 23 shutouts. The 29-year-old’s save on Michkov in the third was a turning point for the team.

Trevor van Riemsdyk: A

The 34-year-old defenseman scored the game-winning goal. It was also his second tally of the season.

Hendrix Lapierre: A

Lapierre finished with an assist on the Sandin goal and was very physical on the ice. A particular highlight was a big hit on Kates in the beginning.

Beauvillier-Sourdiff-Franc Line: B+

This trio proved to be very effective, as they created many chances and maintained the pressure.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman