Carolina nails down first wild card, face Caps in first round

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers could not find a way to end their season on a positive note. On Saturday, they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3 to close what can only be called a disappointing season.

Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman Travis Sanheim (#6), Left Wing Jordan Martinook (#48) of the Carolina Hurricanes, Goalie Carter Hart (#79) of the Philadelphia Flyers

The Canes, on the other hand, are heading to the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons; they will face the Washington Capitals in the fist round.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for us, the defending Stanley Cup champions,” goalie Curtis McElhinney said. “It’ll be a tough series but something everybody in here is excited for and looking forward to.”

McElhinney made 28 saves for the win.

Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen struck for a goal and two points apiece in the win.

“Obviously it wasn’t our best,” Staal said. “But the team found a way to win. They played us hard, we gutted it out at the end. [McElhinney] played great to keep that 4-3 for a while there. It was a good win.”

The Flyers, who ended the campaign at 37-37-8, got goals from Oskar Lindblom, Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny.

“We dug ourselves a big hole at the beginning of the year,” Couturier said. “We pushed hard and battled hard to get back in the (playoff) race, we were close at one point. We lost some crucial games, and at the end of the year, it was disappointing the way we finished. … It feels like guys kind of had a little letdown at the end.”

Philadelphia lost five straight to end the season.

Warren Foegele and Justin Faulk scored early to post the Canes to a 2-0 lead. Carolina built a 3-1 lead before the Flyers rallied to tie it in the second period.

The Canes were outshot, 10-1, in the third period.

Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes players scramble for the puck in front of the Hurricanes’ net.

“I thought the third period was our best period, just giving up one shot,” Flyers coach Scott Gordon said. “We spent a lot of time in the offensive zone, just couldn’t get the equalizer.”

[WATCH: All Hurricanes vs. Flyers highlights]

Carter Hart made 24 saves in the loss.

“There’s things in the second half (of the season) that we did that we can take into the next season that we did well on,” Travis Sanheim said after the loss. “The effort that it takes to get into the postseason … obviously we didn’t get off to a start that we wanted to, and I think that’s going to be key going into next season. There’s little areas that obviously we probably want to clean up and details I’m sure we’ll address come next season.”

Right Wing Justin Williams (#14) and Right Wing Nino Niederreiter (#21) of the Carolina Hurricanes

Right Wing Travis Konecny (#11) and Right Wing Ryan Hartman (#38) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Center Scott Laughton (#21) of the Philadelphia Flyers battles for position with Defenseman Haydn Fleury (#4) of the Carolina Hurricanes

Defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk (#57) of the Carolina Hurricanes is checked by Right Wing Travis Konecny (#11) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Right Wing Travis Konecny (#11) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Center Sebastian Aho (#20) of the Carolina Hurricanes attempts to skate around Defenseman Mark Friedman (#59) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Defenseman Samuel Morin (#5), Defenseman Radko Gudas (#3) and Goalie Carter Hart (#79) of the Philadelphia Flyers surround Center Sebastian Aho (#20) of the Carolina Hurricanes

Defenseman Mark Friedman (#59) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie Carter Hart (#79) of the Philadelphia Flyers, Left Wing Micheal Ferland (#79) of the Carolina Hurricanes, Defenseman Samuel Morin (#5) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Carolina Hurricanes Head Coach Rod Brind’Amounr

Right Wing Ryan Hartman (#38) and Center Scott Laughton (#21) of the Philadelphia Flyers, Goalie Curtis McElhinney (#35) and Defenseman Brett Pesce (#22) of the Carolina Hurricanes