It's safe to say that Michael Del Zotto was due for.
The slick-moving blueliner entered Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild with just one goal on the season, and reeled off a pair of goals — including the overtime winner with 37 seconds to play — to lift the Flyers to a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.
Del Zotto's first goal came at 9:02 of the second period, and as Ryan White scored 52 seconds later, it looked like the Flyers would cruise to a victory in a building that's been tough to win in all season. Like the rest of the Flyers' season, however, it would not be that simple.
Jason Zucker's breakway goal with 4:02 to play in the period to start the Wild's comeback effort. The Flyers, who held a 26-16 shots advantage heading into the second intermission, followed with their usual brand of third-period sluggishness. Longtime Flyer-killer Zach Parise took full advantage of that sluggishness, as he capitalized on a behind-the-net miscue between Steve Mason and Nick Schultz at 13:36 to tie the game.
The Wild continued to press as the 3-on-3 period progressed, and it looked like their pressure would be too much for the Orange and Black to keep up with. At the least, the game looked like it would head to a dreaded shootout.
What didn't help matters for the Flyers was losing Shayne Gostisbehere in the second period to a lower-body injury. Gostisbehere logged just 7:31 of ice time, with a blocked shot to his credit.
Despite his miscue with Schultz, Mason turned in a usual bacon-saving performance for the Flyers, logging a staggering 18 saves over the last 24:23 of game time. He robbed the Wild of several critical scoring chances, several of which came in the extra period.
Sean Couturier opened the scoring for the Flyers at 7:49 of the first period. Brayden Schenn assisted on that goal and Del Zotto's first, giving him points in three-consecutive games and his second-consecutive multi-point performance. Del Zotto's two goals are also his first multi-goal game in a Flyers uniform, and sixth multi-point effort.
Marco Scandella opened the scoring for the Wild with a slapshot from the point, just less than seven minutes after Couturier's goal. Devan Dubnyk turned in a 32-save performance in net.
Both teams were scoreless on two power-play opportunities. The Flyers have not allowed a power-play goal in two consecutive games now.
As one offensive-minded blueliner was incapacitated for the 3-on-3 period, another was able to step up in his absence. The end result was a spirited win over a tough Wild team, who had previously lost just six games on home ice (and only one in overtime, to boot).
The Flyers next return to South Philly for a three-game homestand, starting on Saturday afternoon against the New York Islanders.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia and Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61
