National Hockey League
Flyers-Hurricanes Preview
National Hockey League

Flyers-Hurricanes Preview

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:18 p.m. ET

In addition to his record point streak, rookie Shayne Gostisbehere has had a knack for coming through when the Philadelphia Flyers need it most.

That's certainly been the case against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Looking to become the first defenseman in 24 seasons to record a point in 16 straight games, Gostisbehere tries to help the Flyers complete a winning trip with a season sweep of the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.

Gostisbehere, who turns 23 in April, became the first rookie to record four overtime goals in a season when he scored 29 seconds into the extra session of Saturday's 5-4 win at Toronto.

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"I'm living the dream," he told the NHL's official website. "What can you say?

Gostisbehere has five goals and 13 assists during a 15-game point streak that's the longest by an NHL rookie defenseman. Brian Leetch was the last defenseman to earn a point in 16 consecutive from 1991-92.

''He's unbelievable,'' said teammate Brayden Schenn, who has three goals and three assists during the Flyers' 2-1-1 trip. "He's extremely confident. He always wants the puck out there."

Carolina (27-23-10) should be aware of that after Gostisbehere recorded the overtime winner in each of the last two meetings - both at Philadelphia. He has two goals and two assists while the Flyers (26-21-11) have recorded three overtime victories over the Hurricanes in 2015-16.

Philadelphia last swept a season series from Carolina in 2012-13, and could have a better chance to do it again if captain Claude Giroux and fellow center Sean Couturier are ready to be back on the ice.

Couturier has 16 points in his last 16 games but he's missed nine in a row with a lower-body injury. Giroux sat out Saturday with an upper-body issue.

''It's a little bit tough, but we've got a good group of guys in here,'' said winger Wayne Simmonds, who has four points in three games. ''We're all battling for each other."

Though defenseman Michael Del Zotto will miss three to four months following wrist surgery, fellow blueliner Evgeny Medvedev and goalie Steve Mason should be fine after leaving Saturday's game.

Mason, who dealt with cramping, has yielded three goals four times in five starts. He gave up the first two at Carolina on Nov. 14 then was solid while facing only 21 shots overall in the 3-2 overtime victory.

Losers in two of three, the Hurricanes are 10th in the Eastern Conference - one point ahead Philadelphia - and four behind Pittsburgh for the final wild-card spot.

"This is playoff-style hockey, right?" Carolina coach Bill Peters said after Sunday's 4-2 home loss to Tampa Bay. "You've got to step up and play. It's fun. It's a great time of year."

The Hurricanes haven't suffered consecutive regulation defeats since a three-game skid Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

"Guys are playing hard," said forward Eric Staal, who has just one point in nine February games. "This team wants to be in the mix, and you need to respond after losses.

"There's good character in this room that's going to find a way to keep pushing forward."

Jordan Staal has a point in five straight games and 23 in the last 20. He's totaled only one assist against the Flyers this season.

Teammate Jeff Skinner recorded a hat trick in the 4-3 overtime loss at Philadelphia in the most recent meeting Dec. 15.

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