Six games into the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Carolina Hurricanes have yet to taste defeat.
The Hurricanes’ unbeaten tour makes a new stop Thursday when they visit the Philadelphia Flyers for Game 3 of their second-round series.
After sweeping the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs, Carolina posted a 3-0 victory in Game 1 against Philadelphia. The Hurricanes appeared more vulnerable in Game 2 as they trailed 2-0 early in the first period and were outplayed for most of overtime. However, they prevailed 18:54 into the extra session when Taylor Hall poked home a loose puck
“It’s probably a good sign for us that we have another level and we all know it,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the 3-2 triumph. “We find ways, obviously, to get it done.”
Meanwhile, the Flyers are desperate for a victory as they return to home ice — where they went 2-1 during their first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“It’s unfortunate that we weren’t able to come out with this one,” Philadelphia defenseman Jamie Drysdale said after Game 2, in which he opened the scoring. “There’s definitely things we can take and learn. We’ve got a few days here to regroup and come back hard at home.”
Adding another level of difficulty to his team’s comeback hopes, Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet announced Wednesday that the Flyers will play the rest of the series without center Noah Cates due to a lower-body injury suffered in Game 2.
Cates produced 18 goals, 29 assists and a team-best plus-26 plus-minus rating during the regular season before providing one goal and three assists in eight postseason games.
“He’s a huge part (of our team). He’s Mr. Consistency. He does a lot of things for us, but it’s no different than other teams — next man up,” said Tocchet, who noted that Trevor Zegras and Denver Barkey will see more time at center. “We’re good there. We’ll be OK.”
Philadelphia also could be without Owen Tippett (undisclosed injury) for the third straight game. He’ll be a game-time decision.
On the other hand, Carolina likely will welcome back a key piece to its lineup. Defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who suffered a concussion in Game 4 of the Hurricanes’ first-round series, is eligible to return Thursday.
“He’s been cleared and had a good practice, so he’s definitely an option for tomorrow,” Brind’Amour said Wednesday.
Carolina’s improving defensive depth, combined with Philadelphia’s precarious injury situation, puts even more pressure on Flyers rookies Porter Martone, Alex Bump and Barkey and the team’s other players experiencing their first playoff runs.
“I think from the first game to the second game, you saw improvement,” Tocchet said. “… I think going into Game 3, I think you’ll see more improvement. Our team improved from the first game to the second game. And I think the young guys were in that boat. So, yeah, really excited for those guys to play in this kind of atmosphere.”
The Hurricanes’ veteran-laden team has won 13 of its last 15 games dating back to March 31. Perhaps more relevant, they have won nine of their last 10 contests decided by one goal.
Their poise shined through in Game 2 when they had to overcome the early deficit, withstand the Flyers’ push in overtime and deal with seven power plays for the night.
“As this series goes on, you’re always expecting the best from the other team,” said Carolina center Sebastian Aho, who has yet to register a point in this series. “We’ve got to be ready for the next one.”
