In a game decided by special teams, Andrei Svechnikov was the engine of Carolina’s offense from the first shift to the final horn.
With the Canes on the power play inside the final two minutes of the first period, Svechnikov shot from the right circle, was partially blocked, and caromed off the end boards. That bounce created chaos in front, and Jordan Staal was in the right place for a quick shot that went under Dan Vladar’s glove.
That assist was Svechnikov’s 50th career playoff point. He is just
the second player in franchise history to reach that threshold, trailing only Sebastian Aho on that list.
Svechnikov’s third period tally, a one-timer on a 4-on-3 power play, was the biggest blow to the Flyers. With Philadelphia trailing 2-1 and a momentum-building 5-on-3 advantage having been squandered in the second period, the Flyers needed to cut the deficit. Instead, Svechnikov’s laser off a cross-ice pass from Aho made it a two-goal game.
The goal was Svechnikov’s fifth career playoff power-play goal, tying Ray Whitney for sixth on the franchise’s all-time list.
Svechnikov logged 17:26 of total ice time, including 6:45 on the power play. This was the most power play time by any Carolina forward.
With three shots on goal in 17:26, Svechnikov’s shot volume was tied for first on the Hurricanes. This does not include his multiple shot attempts, including a shot off the post in the first period during the power play.
Svechnikov had a 2.63 expected goals during the postseason despite only a single assist to show for it. He was statistically overdue on a chance-to-goal conversion basis, and it was great to see that one-timer find the back of the net.
Svechnikov registered a team-leading four hits, and in a game filled with penalties, he did not spend any time in the box. Another great sign.
Staal was another strong candidate for Player of the Game with his two-point night and faceoff win rate of 53 percent. Staal’s setup and pass to Jalen Chatfield on a shorthanded odd-man rush was a beaut.
Jordan Martinook had two assists, including a great chip to Nikolaj Ehlers in the neutral zone that launched him on a breakaway and Carolina’s fourth goal of the evening.
And, of course, Frederik Andersen. He was again rock-solid in the net.
