It was the first power-play goal in the playoffs for Carolina’s captain since June 3, 2021. It was also his first multipoint playoff performance since May 9, 2023.
“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.”
Zegras tied the game 1-1 at 2:31 of the second period. Porter Martone’s shot from high in the zone hit off Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae in front and deflected to Zegras, who was able to chip a shot over Andersen’s glove with his forehand from the bottom of the right circle.
Chatfield put the Hurricanes back ahead 2-1 with a short-handed goal at 15:59. The Flyers won an offensive-zone face-off to start a power play, but Martinook dove to knock the puck away from Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale at the left point. Staal then jumped on the loose puck and started an odd-man rush before sending a backhand feed across to Chatfield, who roofed a shot under the crossbar.
“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 made it 3-1 at 3:52 of the third period, one-timing a cross-ice pass from Sebastian Aho in the right circle during a 4-on-3 power play.
“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.”
Carolina finished the game 2-for-9 on the power play. Philadelphia was 0-for-5, including generating just one shot on goal during a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:15 late in the second when trailing 2-1.
“Obviously, it was a big moment of the game,” Dvorak said. “Would have been nice to create a little bit more and worst case get some momentum.”