2025-26 Regular Season, Game 81 Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers

Last Game: The Carolina Hurricanes swapped mass rest groups on Saturday in Salt Lake City, but they came away with another victory over a very solid Utah squad. The Canes got going early, with the power play doing the job. Andrei Svechnikov put a rebound past a sprawling Karel Vejmelka to get the Canes on the board first and earn Svechnikov new career highs in goals and points. They added to it late in the frame. Jordan Staal scored his 20th of the season on a great feed from Nikolaj Ehlers, his second assist already, to double the advantage. Clayton Keller had a goal wiped off for being offside, ensuring a 2-0 lead for the Canes after 20. The lead persisted into the third period before Dylan Guenther wired a one-timer past Frederik Andersen on the power play to cut the deficit in half. The dagger came when Sebastian Aho kept his stick just below the crossbar to redirect Shayne Gostisbehere's shot, restoring the two-goal lead on Aho's 80th point. Sean Walker put it to bed for good with an empty-net goal as the Canes earned a 4-1 win. Andersen made 26 stops to extend the team's win streak to three games. 

Injury Report
Jalen Chatfield: He's the only player who hasn't been playing because of an injury, or so we think, and I'm not sure what the status of it is.

The Opponent: Philadelphia Flyers (41-27-12, 94 Points; 3rd in the Metropolitan Division)
Last Meeting: Just one day after the Canes defeated the Flyers in Philadelphia in a shootout, the teams did it all over again in Raleigh. The Canes got off to a better start than they had the day before. William Carrier snapped a shot from between the dots over Dan Vladar's glove to put the home team up less than six minutes into the contest. Taylor Hall added to it late in the frame on the power play, redirecting Alexander Nikishin's drive. Jamie Drysdale got one back before the end of the period, getting some help after his shot hit Carrier's stick and deflected in. The Canes maintained their one-goal lead until late in the third. With Vladar on the bench, Trevor Zegras tied it up, sending the teams to overtime once more. When nothing was decided there, they continued into the shootout for the second day in a row. Just like the day before, the Canes got it done. Andrei Svechnikov scored the only goal, with Brandon Bussi stopping all three Flyers to claim the 3-2 victory.

Since We Last Met: If the season ended today, the Philadelphia Flyers would be a playoff team. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, but they have the inside track to claim the third spot in the Metro, which is also the last available playoff spot in the East. It took a massive turnaround after the trade deadline to get them to this spot, going 13-5-1 over their last 19 games to leapfrog several teams. Three teams are still in contention, with the Flyers up one point over Washington and two points over Columbus. The Flyers have the added benefit of an extra game tonight before they close the season tomorrow against Montreal, while Washington and Columbus face each other. Of course, Tuesday won't matter if the Flyers win tonight. Anything short of two points against the Canes means it will come down to Game #82. Philadelphia isn't the biggest threat offensively, sitting 22nd in goals and goals per game and last on the power play. Travis Konecny leads the way in points (68), and Trevor Zegras isn't far behind (66), while Owen Tippett paces the group in goals (28). Defensively, the team is much better, occupying a spot in the Top 10 in goals allowed and goals allowed per game. Dan Vladar has been outstanding throughout his first season with the Flyers, going 28-14-7 with a 2.44 GAA (4th in the NHL). 

Stories to Watch
1. There is something on the line for both teams
I've already explained Philadelphia's situation. A win, and they're in the playoffs. However, there is something in this one for the Canes, too. One point gets them the top spot in the Eastern Conference. With all three meetings between these two going to at least overtime this season, history would dictate that there is a good chance it could happen. The Canes could also clinch with Buffalo failing to earn two points against Chicago, though it feels like the Canes will need to do this one themselves. The Canes enter the night on a three-game winning streak, and they've been very good in both stops on their road trip despite resting several players. I see no reason for that to change tonight.

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