Hurricanes Start Fast, Blank Flyers in Game 1

The Philadelphia Flyers knew the opponent for the second round long before they knew when it would begin. They learned of Game 1's date and time on Thursday night. After a quick practice on Friday, it was off to Raleigh to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Carolina had been rested since sweeping the first-round series against Ottawa a week earlier. The rest helped plenty in Game 1. Carolina surged to an early two-goal lead and never looked back, taking the opener, 3-0.

How It Happened

The Hurricanes wasted little time implementing their style on the Flyers. Just 1:31 into the game, Logan Stankoven deflected a shot past Dan Vladar to make it 1-0 with his fifth goal of the playoffs. At 7:30, Jackson Blake used his speed to make it a 2-0 game with his second of the postseason. The Flyers had two power plays go by the wayside in the opening period and were out-shot, 12-4.

Carolina added a goal in the second. Off a turnover by Noah Juulsen, Stankoven took a feed from Seth Jarvis and deposited it for his second goal of the game.

Neither team scored in a physical third period that featured multiple penalties.

Box Score

1st Period

CAR Logan Stankoven (5) (Mike Reilly, Jackson Blake) 1:31
CAR Blake (2) (Taylor Hall, Reilly) 7:30

2nd Period

CAR Stankoven (6) (Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov) 16:16

3rd Period

No Scoring

By the Numbers

Shots: Flyers: 19, Hurricanes: 23
Power Play: Flyers: 0-for-4, Hurricanes: 0-for-4
Faceoffs: Flyers: 55.6%, Hurricanes: 44.4%
Goalies: PHI Dan Vladar: 20 saves on 23 shots, CAR Frederik Andersen: 19 saves on 19 shots

Key Performers

⭐ Logan Stankoven — The leading scorer from the first round didn't miss a beat to start the second. Two goals and a constant presence from the drop of the puck.

⭐⭐ Jackson Blake — Stankoven's linemate go in on the fun early with a goal of his own and used his speed to attack offensively.

⭐⭐⭐ Mike Reilly — Filling in for Alexander Nikishin, Reilly had two assists in the first period and helped the cause.

The Takeaway

The Flyers welcome to the second round was not a warm one. It was a harsh look at the reality of facing the top team in the East. Rested, ready, suffocating. The Flyers didn't generate much of anything all night, and by the time they start to even come close to stabilizing things, the Hurricanes already had a two-goal advantage from a fast start. The good news is it only counts for one win in the series for Carolina. The Flyers will need to make some serious adjustments to Carolina's speed to have any chance.