By sweeping the Flyers 4-0, the Carolina Hurricanes became the first team in NHL history to begin the postseason with two consecutive sweeps since all four rounds became best-of-seven series in 1987.
The Canes (53-22-7) and Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12) took turns trailing before the Flyers forced overtime for the second time in the series. Winger Jackson Blake found the net early in the extra period to end the game 3-2 and secure the Canes’ third Eastern Conference Finals berth in four years.
Blake delivered a standout performance. His overtime goal — assisted by Taylor Hall — was initially met by Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar. Vladar knocked the shot into the air, but couldn’t finish the save and the puck fell back into his own net to give Blake his first career postseason overtime goal.
The line consisting of Blake, Hall and center Logan Stankoven steered the game, emerging as Carolina’s most productive unit in the playoffs. All three Hurricanes goals were scored by either Stankoven or Blake, with Hall recording an assist on each one.
Trailing for over half of regulation, the Hurricanes finally found their rhythm. Scoring the only goal of the second frame and the opening goal for Carolina, Blake let off a wrist shot from out wide that Vladar had no hope of getting in front of.
Vladar held his team up with a .925 save percentage, but the champions of the East found the back of the net often enough. Stankoven slipped one in on an odd-man rush, taking the lead for his team and bumping himself into first place for most goals scored in the 2026 NHL playoffs with seven.
Countering the goal from Stankoven and tying the game at two, Philadelphia winger Alex Bump fired the puck from the slot past goaltender Frederik Andersen, giving the Flyers a do-or-die scenario in overtime they couldn’t capitalize on.
As of May 8, Rod Brind’Amour celebrated eight years as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes. Including his years as a player, Brind’Amour has now been part of 93 of the Canes’ 95 franchise playoff wins, with hopes for more.
The Hurricanes will face off against the winner of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres, which currently sits at one game apiece. Game 1 will be played in Raleigh and will be broadcast on TNT.
