There will be nothing brotherly about the love that the Carolina Hurricanes will feel when they hit the ice. Up 2-0 in the series after winning both games in Raleigh, the Canes have been in this situation before. They were in this spot when they went to Ottawa two weeks ago. They came out of it with a 2-1 win in Game 3. This series has followed a similar trajectory. Could they be in for the same tonight?
Game 2: Philadelphia got off to a very quick start, silencing the Caniacs early. Jamie Drysdale scored the Flyers' first goal of the series, snapping a shot past Frederik Andersen on the power play. Sean Couturier, who was one of the more noticeable Flyers in Game 1, scored 39 seconds later on a pass from below the goal line by Carl Grundstrom, putting the Flyers up 2-0 less than five minutes in.
The Canes slowly made their way back into it. Nikolaj Ehlers buried a one-timer on the power play to cut the deficit in half. After neither team scored in the second, Seth Jarvis brought them even with his first of the postseason midway through the third. Tied at two after 60 minutes, Taylor Hall was the hero in overtime, completing the comeback to put the Canes up 2-0 after defending home ice.
On the Other Side: Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers did something to the Hurricanes on Monday night that the Senators couldn't. They made them play from behind. Two goals in 39 seconds within the opening five minutes had them off and running. It was the first time that the Canes had trailed in a game in a month. The Flyers showed they are more than alive in this series, even if they couldn't finish the job in overtime.
They've already dealt with missing Owen Tippett for the series, but the Flyers were handed another tough blow following Game 2. Rick Tocchet announced on Wednesday that Noah Cates would miss the remainder of the series. This has prompted them to move Trevor Zegras back to center. Christian Dvorak is expected to be good to go on Thursday, while Tippett remains a game-time decision.
What to Watch in Game 3
Injuries are becoming a story again: The Hurricanes have been fortunate to be relatively healthy throughout the postseason. Nikolaj Ehlers only missed one game, and Alexander Nikishin has missed the last two-and-a-half contests, but he's cleared to return. Otherwise, outside of a few bumps and bruises, the Canes are looking pretty good.
The Flyers are going through it a little. Tippett hasn't played in the series. Dvorak is a little beat up. Cates is done. It has forced the Flyers to reconfigure their lineup. However, with the changes they've needed to make, could it be the spark they crave? Obviously, losing players is never a good thing, but it could help unlock that magic they had late in the regular season. Being at home should help, too.
Canes sticking with the status quo: Rod Brind'Amour was quick to acknowledge Assistant Coach Jeff Daniels after their win in Game 2. It was upon Daniels' recommendation that the forward lines get tweaked in the third period. It's those slight chances that led to Seth Jarvis scoring the tying goal while on the ice with Ehlers and Jordan Staal.
Despite this change working, the Canes appear to be returning to their original lineup. At practice on Wednesday, they were back to the way things were to begin the game. I'm not saying whether that's a good or bad thing, but, interestingly, they're going back to it. Maybe this will be the kick in the pants that everyone else needs as the Stankoven line continues to lead the offensive charge.
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