(Photos) Role players filling in for Hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. – Radek Dvorak scored the game-winning goal as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 at PNC Arena on Sunday.

Dvorak’s second goal in as many games along with defenseman Jay Harrison’s first of the season was enough to slow the dominance that the Flyers held over the Hurricanes in recent meetings.

Carolina had only beaten Philadelphia once in 11 previous games played in Raleigh, so the win did not only signify two points earned in the NHL standings, but provided an early-season mental boost to carry over while preparing for their next Metropolitan division rivals.

Sitting with a 1-0-1 record, the Hurricanes travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, and the Washington Capitals on Thursday, before returning to host the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.

“It’s nice to go on the road after some strong games at home,” coach Kirk Muller said on Monday.

“We’ve been here for a while, so I think the guys are ready to head out and hit Pittsburgh and Washington –  two tough teams we’re facing.”

The team’s top line of Eric Staal, Alexander Semin, and Jiri Tlusty is still working to find its rhythm while others have picked up the offensive slack early on.

“The important thing is the big picture,” Muller said.

“I don’t think anyone’s going to disagree that their line, because of missing a lot of hockey, they’re not up to par right now – timing-wise and conditioning-wise, Because of it, I think we look at the positive side which is that we have nice depth right now with the other lines.

Thus, as forwards Dvorak, Nathan Gerbe, and Jeff Skinner along with blueline contributors such as Harrison, Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy have provided the initial offensive boost for Carolina, the time to let the first line catch up this early in the season could bode well for the team in the long term.

“If those lines are goin’ and they’re playin’ and they can help out, I think it’s great that we can take some minutes of those guys,” Muller continued.

“We’ve got a lot of hockey. We’ve got 80 games left. What we’re seein’ is more depth up front that gives these guys a chance to take a little less ice time on certain nights when it’s not their best night performing.”