Flyers down Devils with flurry of goals
NEWARK, N.J. - The Flyers scored almost as many goals Tuesday night (six) as they had in their last five losses (seven).
NEWARK, N.J. - The Flyers scored almost as many goals Tuesday night (six) as they had in their last five losses (seven).
Against defensive-minded New Jersey, no less.
Thanks to four goals in the final 7 minutes, 38 seconds, the Flyers overcame their own undisciplined play and recorded a critical 6-3 victory over New Jersey at the Prudential Center.
In a game many Flyers labeled as a "must-win," Brayden Schenn had a goal and two assists as the visitors moved to within four points of a playoff spot and five points of the Devils. The Flyers have two games in hand on New Jersey.
Wayne Simmonds (power play) and Nick Cousins scored 50 seconds apart late in the game to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead. Simmonds took a slick feed from Schenn and tapped in his ninth goal in the last 11 games.
"We're not satisfied until we're in the playoffs. We have a lot more work to do," Simmonds said after the Flyers' second win in the last seven games.
Cousins, alone in front, converted a pass from R.J. Umberger (two assists) with 6:48 remaining to make it 4-2.
In the latter minutes, Jake Voracek and the Devils' Kyle Palmieri exchanged goals before Ryan White (two points) added an empty-net score.
The Flyers erupted against a team that began the night with a league-best 2.14 goals-against average. Cory Schneider allowed a season-high five goals.
"It wasn't a 6-3 hockey game, that's for sure," Schenn said. "It kind of exploded there at the end."
It marked the second time since 1989 that the Flyers had scored six goals in New Jersey.
Claude Giroux had three assists for the Flyers, who were 2 for 4 on the power play while New Jersey was 1 for 7.
"The PK was one of the biggest reasons we won that game," goalie Michal Neuvirth said. "The PK stepped up."
Jordin Tootoo scored from above the right circle with 10:36 left to tie the score at 2-2.
Early in the second period, the Flyers killed a five-on-three Devils power play that lasted 1:05. They built off the penalty kill. A few minutes later, Schenn's power-play goal gave the Flyers a 2-1 lead.
Schenn scored from the slot after taking a behind-the-net feed from Simmonds. It was Schenn's 17th goal and sixth in his last 10 games.
Earlier, Shayne Gostisbehere continued his torrid pace.
The rookie defenseman scored on a wrist shot from the point with 2:10 left in the first, knotting the score at 1-1. Simmonds screened Schneider on Gostisbehere's 11th goal - two shy of equaling the Flyers' rookie record for defensemen, 13 by Behn Wilson in 1978-79.
The goal gave Gostisbehree a 13-game scoring streak, extending his NHL record for rookie defensemen.
Before taking a pass from Schenn, Gostisbehere didn't think he was in position for a shot.
"I actually yelled at Schenner to say no," Gostisbehere said after the Flyers' first even-strength goal in 149:48. ""I didn't want it because it was going to be a tough play. But he got it to me and I had a lot of room and time."
The Flyers were fortunate to be locked in a 1-1 tie after the first 20 minutes. New Jersey had a power play for 7:40 of the opening period.
Defenseman Radko Gudas continued to pick up penalties at an alarming rate, and his five-minute infraction led to a power-play goal that gave New Jersey a 1-0 first-period lead.
Gudas was ejected for what was ruled a head hit to Bobby Farnham in the neutral zone. A little less than two minutes later, Adam Henrique appeared to give the Devils a 1-0 lead, but the goal was nullified by after a coach's challenge caused a review, which showed that Lee Stempniak made contact with Neuvirth's right leg in the crease.
No matter. While the Devils were still on the five-minute power play, Tyler Kennedy scored his first goal this season, putting his team ahead, 1-0, with 7:59 left in the first.
Gudas, who has 54 penalty minutes over the last nine games, has had one suspension and has avoided three others that drew the league's attention because of hits to the head or near the head. Because it was a match penalty Tuesday, Gudas will be suspended indefinitely until the commissioner rules on the matter.
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said he thought Gudas deserved just a two-minute interference penalty.
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