Hurricanes Favored as Flyers Face Uphill Playoff Test

Analysts from ESPN, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, Daily Faceoff and Sportsnet view the Carolina Hurricanes as the favorite to beat the Philadelphia Flyers in the next round, with Philly as a heavy underdog and likely needing big performances to pull off an upset. Predictions range from a five-game series to a longer grind, underscoring Carolina's depth and Philadelphia's challenge in containing the Canes. X-factors include Travis Sanheim vs. Jaccob Slavin, Michkov's scoring spark for Philly, and Porter Martone stepping up, while Carolina's well-balanced lineup and pace could test Philadelphia's defense and goaltending.