The Carolina Hurricanes (19-9-2) are set to take on the Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-4) at Xfinity Mobile Arena at 7 PM in the first of a home-and-home between the two teams. The Canes are on a roll as of late, winning five of their last seven games, including a shootout victory over the Capitals on Thursday to hold a share of the Metropolitan Division lead.

Goaltender Brandon Bussi, who has started in each of five wins over that stretch — and neither of the losses, has been the highlight of the streak.

Entering Saturday’s tilt with the Flyers, the Canes are looking to continue that hot streak against a team that has surprised many.

After finishing last in the Metro in 2024-25, the Flyers are currently in fourth with 36 points in 29 games this season. New head coach Rick Tocchet has seemingly breathed new life into the young Flyers and has them rolling. The past couple games have been a bit of a rough stretch though, with Philly dropping three of their last five — albeit to some top contenders out West in the Colorado Avalanche and Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Leading the way for Philly is Trevor Zegras, who has 28 points in 29 games this season. Zegras is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence with the Flyers, after being traded over from the Anaheim Ducks in the offseason. Travis Konecny is second on the team in points with 25, and although his goal scoring numbers are down from a season ago, the right winger is still a dynamic player for Philadelphia.

Matvei Michkov is another player to look out for, even though the highly touted seventh overall pick from the 2023 draft is in a little bit of a sophomore slump with only 16 points in 29 games.

As for the defense, the Flyers boast a solid, but not spectacular core. Travis Sanheim is the most notable name, with the ninth year veteran tallying 13 points this year.

In net, Philadelphia has goaltender Dan Vladar, who came over from Calgary in the offseason on a two-year deal. Vladar has been very solid for the Flyers, posting a 2.52 GAA and .906 save percentage in 18 games.

The Canes have appeared to weather much of the injury-bug that plagued them for a lot of November, but still could be without star defenseman Jaccob Slavin tonight. Slavin hasn’t suited up since the second game of the year, which was against the Flyers on Oct. 11.

There was no morning skate to see who will assume the pipes tonight, but it’s hard to see the Canes going away from Bussi in the first game of a back-to-back, especially with the start to the season he’s had.

All things considered, getting a win on the road against a tough, young Flyers team tonight will be critical for the Canes in the race for the Metro.

TV: FanDuel Sports Network

Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network App/ESPN

Odds: Hurricanes -166 Moneyline, Hurricanes -1.5 at +146