Thanks to overtime heroics from defensemen Cam York, the Flyers are headed to Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Just as we did for Round One, here is your Eastern Conference Semi-Final Tale of the Tape; let’s get it on!
A Storm Brewing
Hurricanes
Goals For: 291 (all situations) (2nd in NHL)
Powerplay Percentage: 24.9 (4th in NHL)
Expected Goals For (all situations): 300.64 (2nd in NHL)
Round One
Goals For: 11 (Tied for 13th most in playoffs)
Leading Point Getter: Taylor Hall (2g, 5a in 7 GP)
Leading Goal Scorer: Logan Stankoven (4g in 4 GP)
The Skinny: Led by former Flyer Rod Brind’Amour, the Hurricanes opening round sweep of the Ottawa Senators was nothing short of impressive. Moreover, it is especially remarkable considering their top line of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov were mostly held in check. Aho scored three goals in the four games, but two were scored in Game 4 with the goalie pulled. Jarvis, on the other hand, assisted on each of those empty-net goals for his only points in the series. Finally, Svechnikov had 18 shots on goal but was held scoreless in the series too. However, their second line made up of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake were excellent, showcasing the club’s depth up and down the lineup.
By the same token, Carolina is among the league’s most efficient scoring teams and are not to be taken lightly. Not only did they finish the 2025-2026 campaign with seven 20-goal scorers, but according to NHL EDGE, no team in the NHL this season spends more time in the offensive zone than the Hurricanes. Moreover, they also rank second in the NHL in high danger chances as well. From top to bottom, the Hurricanes are a very talented group capable of breaking a game open at a moment’s notice.
Flyers
Goals For: 220 (all situations) (21st in NHL)
Powerplay Percentage: 15.7 (Last in NHL)
Expected Goals For (all situations): 241.58 (25th in NHL)
Round One
Goals For: 16 (Tied for the 6th most in playoffs)
Leading Point Getter: Rasmus Ristolainen (1g, 4a in 6 GP)
Leading Goal Scorer: Travis Sanheim, Porter Martone (2g goals apiece in 6 GP)
The Skinny: The Flyers took down the Penguins in six games and did so largely by committee when it comes to offense. Philadelphia’s powerplay is still a sore spot for the club and that didn’t change in round one, with the Flyers posting an 11.8 powerplay percentage through six games. Contributions will have to again come from up and down the lineup, while setting the tone physically. Captain Sean Couturier did this well against the Penguins and his teammates followed suit. Can they replicate it? The Flyers will need players like Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett and Trevor Zegras to turn in their best offensive efforts of the playoffs to keep pace.
Advantage: Carolina. Few teams in the NHL possess the relentless puck pursuit that the Hurricanes possess. They can be swarming, just ask Senators’ goaltender Linus Ullmark, who posted a .932 save percentage as Ottawa still lost in four games.
On Defense, Some Familiar Faces
Hurricanes
Goals Against Per Game (regular season): 2.88 (6th fewest in NHL)
Shots Against Per Game (regular season): 23.9 (fewest in NHL)
Expected Goals Against Per 60 (regular season): 2.82 (5th fewest in NHL)
The Skinny: Like their forward group, the Hurricanes defense core is deep and talented. As a matter of fact, Carolina’s defense performed admirably well even without Jacob Slavin, arguably the NHL’s best defensive defensemen; he appeared in only 39 games this season due to injuries. For most of the season, the group was carried by K’Andre Miller, Jalen Chatfield, Alexander Nikishin and two former Flyers, Sean Walker and Shayne Gostisbehere.
Gostisbehere, particularly, was a weapon offensively on the powerplay and at 5-on-5 all season, leading all Hurricane defenders with 50 points.
Flyers
Goals Against Per Game: (2.91, 9th fewest in NHL)
Shots Against Per Game: (25.5, 4th fewest in NHL)
Expected Goals Against Per 60: 2.77 (3rd fewest in NHL)
The Skinny: Compared to their regular season, the Flyers defense group has stepped up noticeably in the playoffs. Against the Penguins, Philadelphia’s de facto top pairing of Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen each had moments in which they stepped up. Likewise, Cam York quietly played well before his series clinching goal too. As we have shown above, the Flyers will have their hands full in this series with one of the better forechecking units in the league. Moving the puck quickly and efficiently with clean passes out of defensive zone will be as important as ever for the Flyers.
Advantage: Carolina. Despite being somewhat underrated by national pundits, this top 6 group is very good. They move the puck efficiently, skate incredibly well and can log heavy minutes.
Welcome to the Dark Side
Hurricanes
Probable Starter: Frederik Anderson
35 GP with Carolina
Save Percentage: .874
Goals Against Average: 3.05
The Skinny: The veteran Danish goaltender struggled across his 35 starts in goal for the Hurricanes this season. However, Anderson washed away those performances by giving up just five goals in the Canes’ four-game sweep of the Senators in the first round.
He’ll be tasked to do it again against the Flyers, a team that he has posted a 14-4-3 record against in 21 games. Additionally, he has a goals against average of 2.94 and a save percentage of .910 against Philadelphia in his career to date.
Flyers
Probable Starter: Dan Vladar
51 GP with Philadelphia (Career High)
Save Percentage: .906
Goals Against Average: 2.42
The Skinny: Like Anderson, Vladar shined in the first round, posting two shutouts. He was unquestionably Philadelphia’s best player against Pittsburgh, especially in Game 6 with his sparkling 40-save to eliminate the Penguins. If the Flyers are to take down a team as well-constructed as Carolina, he’ll need to be their best player once again.
Advantage: Philadelphia. Anderson has performed well in the post-season, but is now 36 years-old and fatigue could be a factor. Vladar, on the other hand, is younger and more agile at this stage of his career riding some serious momentmum.
