Preview: Round 2, Game 2 vs. Philadelphia

RALEIGH, N.C. - After a rousing win in Game 1, the Canes will look to hold serve at home against the Philadelphia Flyers before their second-round series shifts to the Keystone State.

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When: Monday, May 4

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN; CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Series: 1-0 CAR

The Series So Far...

• Game 1: Logan Stankoven (2G), Jackson Blake (1G, 1A) and Mike Reilly (2A) led the way offensively while Frederik Andersen recorded a 19-save shutout in a 3-0 win.

Tricky Trio...

• What more can be said about Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall? Unquestionably Carolina's most dangerous forward line, those three have combined for 21 points through five games, including all three goals in Game 1 against Philadelphia.
• Stankoven has been the headliner, scoring in every contest to become the first player in franchise history to light the lamp in five straight playoff games.
• Hall, meanwhile, leads the team with eight points thus far after picking up an assist on Saturday.
• Blake tallied two points in Game 1 to reach six during the 2026 postseason, matching his total from the 2025 playoffs in 10 fewer games.

In Net...

• As long as Frederik Andersen says he's ready to roll, it seems as though it's his net to lose. Picking up his second shutout of the postseason in Game 1, Andersen also set the franchise record for playoff wins by a goaltender (24) and has allowed just five goals in five games.
• Brandon Bussi would be the next expected option in the event Andersen needs a break. The first-year backstop wrapped up the regular season on a heater, following up his first set of consecutive losses (0-3-0) with a 6-0-1 run and allowing two or fewer goals in four of those wins.
• Pyotr Kochetkov also remains waiting in the wings. Although he made two conditioning loan starts with Chicago (AHL) following multiple lower-body surgeries this winter, his last NHL action came on Dec. 20.

On The Other Side...

• Speaking to the media after Saturday's loss, Head Coach Rick Tocchet said that he felt like a lot of his players were "on their heels" in Game 1. 
• "I don’t know if we were mentally prepared to play tonight," he said. "Winning our playoff series, (nearly) not making the playoffs, there was a lot of excitement. I don’t think we got down to earth quick enough for this game... There were plays to be made, and we didn't make them."
• Coming off a 42-save shutout to oust the Pittsburgh Penguins three nights earlier, goaltender Dan Vladar was met with a harsh welcome in Round 2, conceding three goals on 23 shots for his third sub-.900 save percentage performance in his last four starts.
• Philadelphia seemingly made it through the contest unscathed on the injury front, but went without standout forward Owen Tippett from the start. Labeled "day-to-day" ahead of the action, the speedy winger was replaced by Garnet Hathaway for the series opener.

Injury Updates...

• Defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) was knocked out of the first-round series finale and did not take part in Game 1 against Philadelphia, but has been practicing with the team since April 29 as he navigates the NHL Concussion Protocol.

What Are We Wearing?

• The Canes will wear their BLACK uniforms for the contest. They will wear black for every home game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

What's Next After This Game?

• The Canes are scheduled to practice on Tuesday and Wednesday before departing for Philadelphia ahead of Thursday's Game 3 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
• Next Game: Thursday, May 7 | Round 2, Game 3 at Philadelphia | 8:00 p.m. ET | How To Watch | Tickets | Parking