(Sports Network) - The surging Philadelphia Flyers will try to stay hot this evening, when they welcome the Florida Panthers for a clash at the Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia has eight wins in its last 10 games (8-1-1) and enters today's action with a five-point lead atop the Atlantic Division standings. The Flyers went 2-0-1 on a recent three-game road trip and closed that swing Thursday with an outstanding offensive performance against Carolina.
Jeff Carter registered his second career hat trick and impressive rookie Sergei Bobrovsky made 35 saves, as the Flyers pounded the Hurricanes, 8-1, at the RBC Center. Danny Briere also collected two goals and one assist for the Flyers.
"It was good, we all felt good out there after the couple of days of rest," said Carter. "We came out with a solid effort and we knew we had. We started out a bit slow, but then got stronger as the game went on."
It marked the highest goal total and margin of victory for the Flyers this season. Philly has registered 34 goals over its last eight games.
The Flyers are 6-3-0 as the host this year and are playing the first of two straight on home ice tonight. Philadelphia will also welcome Ottawa on Monday.
The Panthers, meanwhile, enter tonight off the strength of consecutive victories and will try to win three straight for the first time this season. After beating Toronto, 4-1, on Wednesday, Florida followed up with Friday's 2-1 victory over visiting Minnesota.
Chris Higgins and Mike Santorelli scored to back 22 saves from Tomas Vokoun in Florida's close win over the Wild at the BankAtlantic Center.
"We stayed out of the box and limited their chances," said Florida head coach Peter De Boer. "I liked the way we played in the third period. We didn't give them much and closed out the game."
Radek Dvorak started on the right wing and passed Robert Svehla to become the franchise leader in games played with 574 for the Panthers.
Tonight marks the start of a four-game road trip for the Panthers, who are just 2-5-0 as the visiting club this season.
Florida claimed victory in three of four meetings with the Flyers last year and has taken five of seven and six of the last nine encounters overall. The Panthers have also won three out of five in the City of Brotherly Love.