Tthe Flyers (3-6) ended their three-game losing streak and avoided the worst nine-game start in franchise history.
The Flyers' power play is 2 for 30 (6.7 percent) in the team's six losses and 6 for 13 (46.2 percent) in the three wins.
The Flyers erupted for four goals in the first 20 minutes, 52 seconds en route to the much-needed victory.
First-period goals by defenseman Foster (right-circle blast) and Braydon Coburn (rebound) ignited the outburst. The Flyers also got early goals from Briere (rebound) and Mike Knuble (wraparound).
Briere scored off a scramble that was generated by Giroux.
"We need some more presence in front of the net, trying to find some loose pucks and getting to the gritty areas," Briere said after his first goal of the season. "That's what the coaches have talked about. That was a great play by Claude, threading the needle right between the [goalie's] legs . . . and I was able to find the rebound."
Five players scored for the Flyers, including four who notched their first goals of the season.
"It's good for everybody's confidence," Briere said.
Knuble, 40, signed as a free agent Jan. 25 and playing his first home game for the Flyers since 2009, scored after Matt Read stripped the puck from defenseman Justin Faulk behind the net, giving the Flyers a 4-2 lead with 19:08 left in the second period. That chased starting goalie Dan Ellis.
Ellis, coming off a 1-0 win over Ottawa on Friday night, was caught behind the net and scrambled to get back as Knuble scored. Cam Ward replaced Ellis.
Knuble's goal, his first in his second stint with the Flyers and 275th of his career, took some of the sting out of Eric Staal's goal with 4:02 left in the first period. Staal had made it 3-2 after converting a turnover by defenseman Luke Schenn, who had six blocked shots, five hits, and four giveaways.
"It's always good to get the first one out of the way," Knuble said.
Kimmo Timonen, who had two assists and four of the Flyers' 32 blocked shots, kiddingly asked Knuble if he wanted the puck after his goal.
"I told him I've scored here before. It's not the first one," Knuble said with a smile.
Giroux's power-play goal, a drive from the top of the left circle with Tye McGinn setting a screen in front, gave the Flyers a 5-2 lead with 7:17 to go in the second period. It was Giroux's first goal in the last seven games.
Carolina dominated the final period and got to within 5-3 on Patrick Dwyer's power-play goal with 16:31 remaining. The Hurricanes were 1 for 6 with an extra skater.
Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (39 saves) had another strong game for the Flyers, who were outshot, 42-24, including 15-3 in the final period.
"He's in a zone," Giroux said.
Contact Sam Carchidi at scarchidi@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter@BroadStBull.
