Second verse, same as the first for Hurricanes in Game 1 shutout of Flyers

Chip Alexander, The News & Observer (Raleigh) on May 2, 2026

Published in Hockey

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The legend of Logan Stankoven continues to grow.

The Carolina Hurricanes center, their little big man, scored twice and grabbed a piece of Stanley Cup playoff history Saturday in a 3-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 1 of their second-round series at Lenovo Center.

The second game of the Eastern Conference series will be played Monday at Lenovo Center as the NHL finally released its full playoff schedule Saturday night.

After scoring in each game of the Canes’ four-game sweep of the Ottawa Senators in the opening round, Stankoven now has six, and Saturday he became the youngest player in playoff history to begin a postseason with a five-game goal streak.

Winger Jackson Blake added his second goal of the playoffs as the Stankoven line, so relentlessly potent against the Senators, continued to sizzle. Blake gave the Canes a 2-0 lead after the first period, and Stankoven scored again in the second for a 3-0 cushion.

In net again for Carolina was Frederik Andersen, who was at his best and allowed five goals in the Ottawa series. Canes fans were chanting “Fred-die! Fred-die!” before his fifth straight start, again during the game, and loudly as the time ticked away on another playoff shutout.

While the Canes had a week between playoff games, it was a quick turnaround for the Flyers. Their first playoff series stretched to six games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending with an emotional 1-0 overtime win Wednesday as goalie Dan Vladar had 42 saves.

The game Saturday had its chippy moments, with cross-checks and hard body checks and misconduct penalties being meted out.

The Canes had a scary moment late in the second. On a play in the Flyers zone, Andrei Svechnikov was fighting for the puck along the boards when Philadelphia forward Tyson Foerster skated in and slashed the back of Svechnikov’s right leg.

Svechnikov was left on the ice, in pain. Foerster initially was called for a five-minute major, but after review was assessed a two-minute minor slashing penalty.

Svechnikov stayed in the game. His assist on Stankoven’s second goal was his first point in the playoffs, although his physical presence was felt against the Senators.

There was another flare-up 12 minutes into the third when Blake was cross-checked in the back by Trevor Zegras while on the ice after the two had tangled in the Flyers’ zone.

Quick start for the Hurricanes

The Canes scored 91 seconds into the game and everyone in the building seemed to instantly have the same thought: Stankoven again?

Yes, Stankoven. Again.

He had the first goal of the opening-round series with the Senators and was the first on the board in the second round. Positioned in the slot, he redirected a Mike Reilly shot past Vladar, and it was 1-0.

Blake, who assisted on the first goal, then provided the second. Carrying the puck into the zone, he appeared to be shouldered past the cage by defenseman Travis Sanheim as he neared the net. But Blake reached out his stick and gave the puck a final tap — past Vladar at the post.

The place was very loud then. Six and a half minutes into the game and Stankoven and Blake had goals and Taylor Hall an assist on the Blake goal. That line was off and running again, and Stankoven added his second in the second period off a Seth Jarvis setup pass for a 3-0 lead.

The Canes finished off a strong first period that had them take a 2-0 lead, kill off two penalties with ease and allow the Flyers just four shots on goal. They were quicker to pucks and tough along the boards.

Reilly, who replaced rookie Alexander Nikishin on the back end, already had a pair of assists.

The Flyers’ first power play had Canes fans howling at the refs. The Flyers’ Nick Seeler, battling the Canes’ Jordan Martinook along the boards, lifted Martinook’s stick up and earned a high-sticking call against Martinook.

One play, in particular, was symbolic of the Canes’ defensive hustle and ability to win a one-on-one battle.

In the second period, the Flyers’ Garnet Hathaway was called for slashing. The penalty killed, he jumped out of the box and had a breakaway, only to have Canes defenseman K’Andre Miller lunge from behind to knock the puck away and deny a shot.