Nikolaj Ehlers adds name to Hurricanes history books in loss to Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes didn’t have much to play for in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night — but Nikolaj Ehlers certainly didn’t act like it.

The star forward was a factor on both of his team’s tallies, scoring a goal and recording an assist in the first period. In the process, he added his name to the franchise’s history books.

“Ehlers (25-45—70) became just the second player in Hurricanes team history (since 1997-98) to record 70-plus points in their first season with the club, following Cory Stillman (76 in 2005-06),” noted NHL Public Relations on Tuesday morning.

“Ehlers also joined Vegas’ Mitch Marner (23-56—79) as the only players on new teams this season to reach the 70-point mark.”

After a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, the Danish winger has been terrific, especially since the Olympic break. He’s second in team scoring with 70 points in 81 games, behind only Sebastian Aho, who has managed 80 in 79 contests.

The 30-year-old is a key reason why the Canes are 52-22-7 and poised to not only win the Eastern Conference, but finish second in overall National Hockey League standings.

Despite the shootout loss, Carolina clinched the East for the first time ever by picking up a point. They’ll play either the Boston Bruins or Ottawa Senators in the first-round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begin next weekend.

“That’s a huge accomplishment,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of his team finishing first in the conference, per NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman. “It says you had a real good year and you came to play every night. You can’t luck into that.”

The Hurricanes have been a consistent contender since Brind’Amour took over behind the bench in 2018, making the playoffs every season since. But they’ve been unable to get over the Eastern Conference Final hump.

With no Florida Panthers in the postseason this time around — after winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships — the East is wide open. And this could be the best chance Carolina has to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all in 2006.

Round 1 will begin at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC on either Saturday or Sunday.

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