Flyers Defeat Jets to Snap Losing Streak

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

A bounce and a close call went the Flyers way for a change. And it proved to be the difference in snapping a losing streak.

The Flyers scored a strange goal to take a 2-0 lead in the second period and held on for a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.

The two teams skated to a scoreless first period with some transition opportunities coming off neutral-zone turnovers. Both goalies were up to the task in keeping the game tied through 20 minutes.

The Flyers did have one power play opportunity in the first, but struggled to get set up and managed just one shot.

The Flyers had an 11-9 edge in shots after the first period.

The second period started with another power play for the Flyers where they couldn't get much going. But they were finally able to capitalize on a chance on a delayed penalty call.

Valtteri Filppula held control of the puck for several seconds as the Flyers got Claude Giroux on the ice as the extra-attacker. Filppula got the puck to Giroux, who delayed and fired a shot past Connor Hellebuyck and in for his 24th goal of the season.

Just over two minutes later, Hellebuyck appeared to rob the Flyers of a goal. A shot by Nolan Patrick went wide but hit the endboards and bounced out to Andrew MacDonald who threw a backhander on goal. Hellebuyck sprawled across to get a glove on it and keep the puck out of the net. A few seconds later as play progressed, the horn sounded to stop play, prompting a review. Replayed showed the puck had hit Hellebuyck's glove inside the net and therefore was a good goal, making it 2-0 Flyers at 8:01.

Assists on MacDonald's fifth goal of the season went to Patrick and Jake Voracek.

The Flyers also had to kill off two Winnipeg power plays. The improvement of the PK in recent games continued as the Jets managed very little zone time and didn't get many chances on Petr Mrazek.

After two periods, the Flyers held a 2-0 lead and had a 26-20 advantage in shots.

The Jets got two power plays in the third period and were finally able to cash in on the second one midway through the period.

Blake Wheeler set up Patrik Laine in his wheelhouse from the left circle for a one-timer, easily beating Mrazek and cutting the Flyers lead to one with 11:02 to play in the game.

The goal was Laine's 40th of the season and ninth in the last five games.

The Flyers showed a determined effort from there, holding off the push from the Jets and managing to keep the energy going through the final minutes and finish off their first win since Feb. 26.

Mrazek made 27 saves in picking up his fourth win with the Flyers. Hellebuyck stopped 33 shots in the defeat.

The Flyers return to action on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center, taking on the Vegas Golden Knights in their first trip to Philadelphia. Game time is at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• No Scoring

2nd Period

• PHI Claude Giroux (24) (Valtteri Filppula, Wayne Simmonds) 5:40
• PHI Andrew MacDonald (5) (Nolan Patrick, Jake Voracek) 8:01

3rd Period

• WPG Patrik Laine (40) PP (Blake Wheeler, Paul Stastny) 8:58

Game Statistics