Flyers 5, Hurricanes 3: Wayne Simmonds recorded his first career hat trick and provided insurance by setting up Matt Read's goal in the third period as visiting Philadelphia posted its 20th win in 24 outings (20-2-2) against Carolina.

Read added a pair of assists and Jakub Voracek scored for the third time in four contests to extend his career high to 20 goals. Steve Mason turned aside 26 shots for the Flyers, who have scored 14 goals en route to sweeping the three-game season series with the Hurricanes.

Jeff Skinner scored in his return from a head injury and captain Eric Staal and defenseman Justin Faulk also tallied for Carolina, which fell to 2-15-2 in its last 19 outings.

After failing to score in his previous eight games, Simmonds gave Philadelphia a 2-1 lead at 1:54 of the second period after accepting Read's no-look feed before beating Justin Peters (33 saves). Faulk scored from the point to forge a tie, but Simmonds answered just 74 seconds later by wiring a shot from the right circle.

Simmonds capped the hat trick 48 seconds into the third period after his sharp-angle shot sailed between the pads of Peters to give the Flyers a 4-2 advantage. Staal trimmed the deficit by cleaning up a rebound nearly two minutes later, but Simmonds blocked a shot with his skate to spring Read on a breakaway at 7:03.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Mason improved to 5-0-0 in his career versus Carolina. ... Hurricanes RW Kevin Westgarth recorded his first point with an assist on Faulk's goal. The point was his sixth of his career in 119 games. ... Philadelphia secured its seventh road win to move ahead of New Jersey, Tampa Bay and Florida in the basement of the Eastern Conference.