Raffl’s late goal lifts Flyers past Sabres

The Flyers entered Sunday's game as a team hovering between an early offseason and dim playoff hopes with their true status in question. There was nothing in question about the Sabres season.

Still, the Sabres gave the Flyers a run for their money in Buffalo on Sunday night, playing a dead-locked game into the late stages of the third.

A goal at 12:45 of the third by Michael Raffl on a wrap-around proved to be the difference in a 2-1 win over the Sabres on Sunday night at First Niagara Center.

The Flyers jumped out to an early lead as Matt Read deflected a long point shot from Wayne Simmonds past Michal Neuvirth at 3:19 of the first. It was Read's fifth goal of the season and second in the last three games. It was also Simmonds' sixth point in his last four games.

The Flyers held a 15-5 shot advantage after a strong opening period. But after 20 minutes, it was only a one-goal advantage for the Flyers.

In the second, the Sabres started to even out the chances and eventually cashed in on a golden opportunity. Claude Giroux and Braydon Coburn were both called for penalties at 12:25, giving the Sabres a full two minutes of 5-on-3 time. 

The Flyers were 28 seconds away from killing the two-man advantage when Nikita Zadorov blasted a shot past Ray Emery to even the score at 13:57.

The Sabres out-shot the Flyers 11-9 in the second period and the period closed with the game tied.

It appeared the third would go by without a tally as the game entered the final 10 minutes of the period. Finally, with 7:15 to play in the third, Raffl found the puck behind the net and converted on a wrap-around to give the Flyers the lead.

Emery did the rest as the Sabres managed some good chances late. Emery made 21 saves on 22 shots in picking up his 10th win of the season. 

The Flyers extended their points streak to nine straight games, closing to within five points of the Boston Bruins for the final wildcard spot. 

The Flyers also posted a 2-0-2 record on the four-game road trip and will now return home. Their first game of a four-game homestand is on Tuesday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.

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