PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers hosted Game 3 on Thursday night, and could not find an answer to the Carolina Hurricanes’ game.
Jordan Staal and Andrei Svechnikov each had a goal and two points for the Canes.
“It’s been a great start to the series,” Staal said. “We’ve played the way we’ve wanted to play. It’s part of our whole identity as a group and we want to continue to build on that.”
Frederik Andersen made 18 saves in the win.
Trevor Zegras was the lone striker for the Flyers, his goal tied the game, 1-1. His goal came early in the middle frame after Stall had given the Canes a 1-0 lead late in the first off the power play
“Everybody looks at the score sheet to judge people for the most part, but that’s not how he impacts us on a nightly basis,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “Tonight he did. He does everything for this team. It’s nice that he gets on the score sheet and we can talk about him, but it’s pretty much every night.”
Carolina regained the lead on a shorthanded strike by Jalen Chatfield .
“Just saw a lot of open space and I just jumped up and it was unbelievable,” Chatfield said. “Just had to shoot the puck. That’s it.”
Svechnikov pushed the lead to 3-1 early in the third on a second power play marker.
Carolina hit for two power play goals in nine chances, while the Flyers were held scoreless in five opportunities.
“We had a great first, and then it was all power play and penalty kills,” Flyers coach Rick Tocchet said. “We took nine penalties. … I thought we were the better team, and then the power plays and penalties. That’s two games in a row just a penalty fest (Philadelphia was short-handed six times in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 2 on Monday). We’re not equipped for that.”
Nikolaj Ehlers scored off a breakaway in the first half of the third period to seal the win, 4-1.
“It’s just how we’ve been approaching every game since the start of the playoffs,” Staal said. “It’s a brand new challenge. The fourth one is always the hardest to win, and no one wants to go home. It’s going to be another brand new challenge, brand new start and we’re going to have to find ways to win the game.”
Dan Vladar made 26 save in the loss.
“We just can’t worry about anything else other than winning one hockey game,” Philadelphia forward Christian Dvorak said. “You win one and then the pressure starts to flip. We know we have it in this room. We’re not going to quit. We’re going to bring our best effort and just do what we can Saturday.”
