After another shutout to open a series, the Carolina Hurricanes tried to keep the positive momentum rolling at home on Monday night. Frederik Andersen was perfect once more, and the Stankoven line continued to be the straw that stirs the drink in a 3-0 win for the Canes on Saturday to begin their second-round matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Hurricanes deployed the same 18 skaters that earned them the Game 1 win, meaning Alexander Nikishin would miss his second straight game, though he took warmups beforehand. Philadelphia's Owen Tippett was also out for the game after he missed Saturday's contest. Frederik Andersen and Dan Vladar remained the netminders for their respective sides.
For the first time during these playoffs, the Hurricanes were forced to play from behind. Jamie Drysdale scored on an early power play, and Sean Couturier added another goal 39 seconds later, putting the Flyers up by two less than five minutes in. The Canes got one back on the power play, with Nikolaj Ehlers burying a one-timer to cut the deficit in half, as they trailed 2-1 after 20.
There were chances aplenty for both teams in the second period, getting multiple chances to work on the power play. However, the frame came and went without a goal to be found. It wasn't a pretty showing for either unit on either team. The Canes' fourth line had a few great chances, but Vladar was unflappable. After two periods, the score remained in the Flyers' favor.
Still needing a goal, the Canes yearned for someone to step up and knot it up. Enter Seth Jarvis. For the first time this postseason, he found the back of the net. The Canes made a small line tweak, and it resulted in Jarvis snapping a shot off Vladar's glove and into the net. With the game now tied, the teams failed to reach a resolution by the end of 60 minutes, sending them to overtime.
The penalty kill was put to the test early in overtime after a third Andrei Svechnikov penalty. Once again, they stood tall. The Flyers had a few outstanding chances, including a Travis Konecny breakaway. They couldn't get one to go. With 66 seconds left, Taylor Hall was the hero. A rebound in the crease popped to Hall, and he slid it past Vladar to get the win and extend the series lead to 2-0.
The power play owes the penalty kill dinner after Game 2
Sure, some of the players on the power play are also on the penalty kill, but that's beside the point. The Canes' power play scored on its first chance, with the second unit striking again. However, their next five chances came and went without a ton of excitement. At some point, something needs to change. Maybe we need to start calling the Stankoven unit PP1.
On the defensive side of special teams, the Flyers scored on their first power play. They'd get six more over the next 75 minutes. They didn't score again. The Canes allowed just two more shots on those six chances. They outshot the Flyers while down a man, 5-3. The penalty kill has been excellent through six games. I'd appreciate it if they were deployed a little less.
The Canes faced their first bit of adversity this postseason and prevailed
You knew the Flyers would come out with a lot more jump in Game 2, and that's exactly what they did. The early goal on the power play was met by another goal 39 seconds later. Not only was it the first time they'd trailed in the playoffs, but they were suddenly in a 2-0 hole after the Flyers scored on two of their first three shots. We'd finally see what the Canes were made of.
As they've done numerous times this season, the Canes locked in and refused to feel sorry for themselves. The power play got a goal, but Seth Jarvis's tying goal was the biggest moment of the night. They needed him to do something big, and he picked a very good spot to get his first goal of the playoffs. From there, their hottest line got them the win. I'd say it was a pretty good response.
I've run out of ways to express just how good Frederik Andersen has been. Once again, the goalie on the other end was playing out of his mind, yet Andersen prevailed. He stopped 33 consecutive shots tonight after the Flyers scored the first two goals. This includes 15 shots in overtime. Many might think that the Canes were lucky to win tonight, but Andersen earned his sixth victory.
Getting Seth Jarvis going was big, but this was a big performance for Nikolaj Ehlers as well. After recording one assist through five games, Ehlers notched his first playoff goal as a Hurricane before adding the primary helper on the tying goal. I'm still waiting for Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov to do something positive on the offensive end.
Up Next: The series gets a short recess before picking up in Philadelphia on Thursday for Game 3. They'll play one more in the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday night. If the teams split the next two games, the Lenovo Center will host another game on Monday night. If the Flyers sweep this leg at home, we'll also get Game 6 in Philadelphia next Wednesday night.