Toronto scored two early goals. The Couturier line got them back in it. From there, it was the Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek show. The Flyers would score five straight goals after falling behind 3-2 and Philadelphia blasted Toronto 7-4 Saturday night in Toronto.
It was a roller coaster first period. Toronto opened the scoring 4:51 in. Joffrey Lupul netted his eighth goal of the season with a quick snapshot in front.Lupul took a pass from Morgan Rielly and beat Ray Emery in tight.
Less than 30 seconds later Scott Laughton took an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for covering Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier in snow. 28 seconds into the powerplay, James van Riemsdyk tipped in a Cody Franson shot for a 2-0 Toronto lead.
R.J. Umberger got the Flyers on the board at 8:14 of the period. Umberger slammed home a rebound off a Sean Couturier shot. It was Umberger's third goal of the season.
The Flyers tied up three minutes later as Sean Couturier scored his eighth of season. Couturier fired home a one timer after a great pass from behind the net by Matt Read.
The game did not stay tied for long. Just 15 seonds later Toronto would regain the lead. David Clarkson notched his ninth of the season to put the Leafs up 3-2.
11 seconds later, Claude Giroux would score his ninth on a great tip in. Jakub Vorcek took a pass from Giroux and then fired the puck on net. Giroux broke to the net and deflected the shot past Bernier to tie it at 3.
The second started a bit slower than the first but the play intensified quickly. Nicklas Grossmann got his third goal of the season at 3:52 to put the Flyers up 4-3. Grossmann was trying to bank a pass off the boards but it hit Bernier and trickled in.
Midway through the period the Flyers had two power play chances but were unable to capitalize. Then with just under four minutes left, Giroux picked up his second goal of the night and 10th of the season.
Giroux out waited Bernier at the side of the net and buried the shot high from a very difficult angle. Voracek picked up the assist on the goal giving him three on the night. The period ended with Philly holding a 5-3 lead.
The third started much much slower as the Flyers were content to play a more defensive game. Toronto had a chance to get back in to within one as Brayden Schenn took a tripping call at 4:23.
Tyler Bozak took an interference call 40 seconds into the Toronto man advantage. Scott Laughton picked up his second goal of the season skating 4 on 4 at 5:47 to put the Flyers ahead 6-3. Voracek picked up his fourth assist of the game on the play.
Giroux would pick up his fourth point of the night as he tipped a pass up to Wayne Simmonds who made a great pass to Micheal Raffl in the slot. Raffl buried his ninth of the season at 9:32 to put the Flyers up 7-3.
Toronto would get one back at 13:49 on a goal by Peter Holland. Holland came down the wing and beat Ray Emery to make it 7-4. Emery was caught leaning off the near post on the goal.
That would be all she wrote though as the Flyers clamped down and skated away with the win. Giroux and Voracek combined for eight points tonight. Voracek now leads the NHL in scoring while Giroux is now tied for second.
The Flyers are back in action tomorrow night in Winnipeg. Game time is 9:00.
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
