Flyers fight back for win over Canadiens

With the All-Star break over and eight games on the schedule in a matter of 13 days, the Flyers know the time is now if they want to make any attempt at climbing into the playoff picture.

They could start that climb on a positive note by beating one of the five teams they need to pass in the standings, the Montreal Canadiens.

They did just that, grabbing a huge 4-2 win over the Canadiens on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers would get an early power play and after dominating most of the two minutes, finally score in the closing seconds of the man-advantage at 6:11.

Jake Voracek led a rush into the attacking zone and after a quick give-and-go with Claude Giroux, started a beautiful passing play. His cross-ice pass found Brayden Schenn, who quickly spotted Wayne Simmonds in front for an easy goal. It was Simmonds' 15th of the season.

The Flyers added another just six seconds into their second power play of the game at 15:26. Off a faceoff, Shayne Gostisbehere set up Voracek, who threw it toward the slot for the deflection by Schenn.

Schenn's 13th of the season was his second of the game and second assist for Voracek. Gostisbehere brought his points streak to six games with his assist.

Prior to the Flyers second goal, the Canadiens had started to get some life. On their first power play of the game, they finally capitalized. A shot by Alex Galchenyuk was stopped by a sliding Steve Mason, but the rebound went off the end boards and out to Andrei Markov, who scored into the open net to cut the lead to one.

Shots were 15-11 Montreal in the first.

Montreal struck early in the second to tie the game. Nathan Beaulieu found Jeff Petry with room and Petry's shot deflected off of the back of Radko Gudas, off the post and in to even the score at two.

The Flyers went on to outshoot the Canadiens, 17-7, in the middle period, but failed to convert on two power-play chances and some good scoring chances at even strength.

A very tight-checking third period left both teams with limited chances. The Flyers finally cashed in on one of theirs with 8:04 to play.

Voracek's hard work behind the net set up Simmonds in front for his second goal of the game, giving the Flyers the lead.

The Flyers penalty kill was tested just moments later when Gudas took a five-minute major. The Flyers killed the penalty, holding the one goal lead.

Matt Read iced the game with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Mason finished the game with 30 saves. Michael Del Zotto and Simmonds tied for the team lead with three hits each. Simmonds also led the team with eight shots. 

The Flyers return to the ice on Thursday night as they face the Nashville Predators on the road. Game time is set for 8 p.m.

Scoring Summary

• 1st Period
  • PHI Wayne Simmonds (15) PP (Brayden Schenn, Jake Voracek) – 6:11
  • PHI Brayden Schenn (13) PP (Jake Voracek, Shayne Gostisbehere) – 15:26
  • MTL Andrei Markov (3) PP (Alex Galchenyuk, P.K. Subban) – 18:18
• 2nd Period
  • MTL Jeff Petry (5) (Nathan Beaulieu) – 2:30
• 3rd Period
  • PHI Wayne Simmonds (16) (Jake Voracek, Claude Giroux) – 11:56
  • PHI Matt Read (8) EN (Sean Couturier, Chris VandeVelde) – 19:17

Penalty Summary

• 1st Period
  • MTL Nathan Beaulieu – 2:00 holding – 4:14
  • MTL Dale Weise – 2:00 roughing – 7:17
  • PHI Ryan White – 2:00 roughing – 7:17
  • MTL Max Pacioretty – 2:00 interference – 15:20
  • PHI Chris VandeVelde – 2:00 tripping – 16:47
• 2nd Period
  • MTL Mark Barberio – 2:00 holding – 4:03
  • MTL Brendan Gallagher – 2:00 roughing – 12:39
  • PHI Shayne Gostisbehere – 2:00 roughing – 12:39
  • MTL Tomas Fleischmann – 2:00 high-sticking – 14:13
  • PHI Matt Read – 2:00 tripping – 17:27
• 3rd Period
  • PHI Jake Voracek – 2:00 roughing – 0:53
  • PHI Radko Gudas – 5:00 clipping – 12:16
  • PHI Radko Gudas – game misconduct – 12:16

Game Statistics

Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.