Hurricanes make history not seen since 1985 with Game 4 win over Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes continued their impressive postseason run on Saturday with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 4 to complete a second-round sweep and advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive season and third time in four years.

The Hurricanes became just the fifth team in NHL history to open the playoffs with eight straight victories and the first since the 1985 Edmonton Oilers. They also became the first NHL team to sweep the opening two rounds since the league adopted four best-of-seven rounds in 1987.

Jackson Blake played hero in overtime, scoring the winner 5:28 into the extra frame for his second goal of the game. Taylor Hall carried the puck into the offensive zone before setting up Blake, whose shot deflected off Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar’s glove and crossed the goal line. Hall finished with two assists, while Jaccob Slavin assisted on the deciding goal.

Philadelphia opened the scoring in the first period when Tyson Foerster recorded his first goal and point of the postseason. Trevor Zegras and Porter Martone helped set up the play, with Martone reaching five playoff points, the second-most by a teenager in Flyers playoff history behind Dainius Zubrus’ nine in 1997.

Carolina controlled much of the game after the opening period, outshooting Philadelphia 36-15 overall and 23-9 through two periods. Blake tied the game late in the second when his shot deflected off Jamie Drysdale and past Vladar. A potential go-ahead goal by Mark Jankowski was overturned following a goalie interference challenge involving William Carrier.

Logan Stankoven restored the Hurricanes’ lead early in the third period with his league-leading seventh playoff goal after a cross-ice pass from Hall. The Flyers answered less than two minutes later when rookie Alex Bump scored his second postseason goal off a setup from Travis Konecny to force overtime.

Frederik Andersen made 15 saves and improved to 8-0 this postseason. Through eight playoff starts, Andersen owns a 1.12 goals-against average, a .950 save percentage and two shutouts while allowing no more than two goals in any game.

Carolina has allowed only 10 goals during their unbeaten playoff run. The Hurricanes will now face either the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Final with home-ice advantage.

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