Claude Giroux deflects a shot past Niklas Backstrom for his 10th goal of the season in the Flyers 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday. (Photo Courtesy of ESPN.com)
With one game left before a Christmas break, the Philadelphia Flyers were looking for a ninth straight win at home. More than just extending their longest home winning streak nearly nine seasons, it would be a pleasant gift for Flyers fans as the season paused for the holidays.
The offensively-challenged Minnesota Wild stood in their way. After opening the month of December with a 2-0 loss in Minnesota, looking rather listless in doing so, the Flyers closed the home portion of the schedule in 2013 with another win, defeating Minnesota, 4-1, on Monday night at Wells Fargo Center.
The Flyers wasted no time getting started. After struggling to score early in both games against the Blue Jackets, it took just 1:52 for the Flyers to score.
It was Luke Schenn jumping into the play and finding a loose puck to score his third goal of the season. Scott Hartnell assisted on the goal. It was Hartnell's 500th NHL point.
On their second power play of the game midway through the period, the Flyers added a second goal. Crisp passing from Claude Giroux to Jake Voracek to Wayne Simmonds allowed Simmonds to bury a goal on the doorstep. It was Simmonds ninth goal of the season.
A two-man advantage for Minnesota allowed the Wild to get on the board. The only shot of the night to beat Steve Mason was started with a great cross-ice pass by Jason Pominville. Mikael Granlund fired a one-timer that beat Mason, cutting the lead to one.
The Flyers answered with the only goal of the second. At 7:46, a shot from the point by Braydon Coburn was deflected in by Giroux. It was Giroux's 10th goal of the season.
More importantly than scoring, the Flyers forced the Wild to play within their own zone. Chances were limited, especially late in the game. The chances the Wild did manage were stopped by Mason, who made 26 saves on 27 shots.
Simmonds scored his second goal of the game into an empty net to cap the scoring. Simmonds' second goal was also his 10th of the season.
The Flyers break for the holidays and return for a lengthy road trip. The Flyers next home game isn't until Jan. 8 against Montreal. A six-game road trip starts on Saturday in Edmonton.
But the Flyers finished off this portion of the schedule and can enjoy the holidays off a strong team win. With the win, the Flyers are back above .500 with a record of 17-16-4 and are tied for third in the Metropolitan Division. By virtue of many results tonight, the Flyers would be given the third guaranteed playoff spot from that division.
Kevin Durso is the lead beat writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
