With five of the teams' last six meetings needing overtime, they have played some close match-ups throughout the season. However, that would not be the case this time around as the Canes were the more clinical in front of goal.
A first period that saw the guests had more of the efforts, yet it almost seemed destined to stay goalless heading into the intermission. That all changed 2:33 before its conclusion, when Andrei Svechnikov's shot which missed the frame fell to Jodran Staal right in front of the goal. The centre was first to the puck, finishing the chance from close range.
It did not take the Flyers too long to respond, as two and a half minutes into the second, they got their equalizer. The puck was played towards goal by Emil Andrae, deflecting into a sea of bodies. It squeaked out to Trevor Zegras, who finished from a tight angle to level the score.
Penalties palyed a role in this one, with both teams hitting double digits in the number given throughout the game. Taylor Hall was called for boarding in the latter stages of the middle frame, leaving Carolina a man short. That did not seem to stop them though, as they won the face-off before breaking the other way. Jalen Chatfield converted Staal's pass to give the Canes the lead back.
It remained that way to the second intermission, with Philadelphia once again finding themselves behind the eight ball.
Things got worse for them early in the third when they had to try and fend off a 4v3 situation. That turned out to be pivotal, as Svechnikov made the most of the Hurricanes' opportunity by hitting a one-time shot past Daniel Vladar to double his team's lead for the first time that evening.
A few minutes later and it was 4-1, as Nikolaj Ehlers went on a breakaway. Going one-on-one with Vladar, the Dane's shot went into the top corner.
Carolina were able to hold on from there, as they have now won their first seven games in this season's playoffs. Goaltender Frederik Andersen became the 12th goaltender to begin the playoffs with a seven-game winning streak, two years on from Igor Shesterkin doing the same.
The Hurricanes will have the chance to finish off the series on Saturday when the sides take the ice for Game 4.
