The Flyers broke their four-game winless streak in a big way on Sunday night when they beat the Sabres by a score of 5-2. Matt Read, Zac Rinaldo, Brayden Schenn (2), and Vincent Lecavalier scored for Philadelphia, while Cody Hodgson and Mike Weber were responsible for Buffalo’s two. Steve Mason only saw 19 shots from the Sabres and blocked 17. Buffalo’s Nathan Lieuwen saved 29 of 34 Flyers shots.
In a game that the Flyers called a “must-win,” they looked relatively strong and dominating. Of course, most teams would look that way against Buffalo, but the Flyers have been struggling as of late and there was no telling how this game would go.
Steve Mason looked fantastic in net, despite not facing many shots. He was riding a potential shutout situation until Hodgson’s goal put that bid to an end with 12:34 left in the third period. Weber’s goal came with just over two minutes left in the game, but neither goal did much to dent the Flyers’ big lead.
The team’s power play struggles of late seemed (mostly) like yesterday’s news, as Schenn’s first goal of the night came on the man advantage. Zac Rinaldo gave the Sabres a few opportunities for power play goals – and they capitalized on one, thanks to Cody Hodgson – as he took four penalties tonight, including a match penalty for a hit to the head. He’ll likely face some disciplinary action from the league for that one.
The Flyers will take on the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night to start a three-game road trip, and will return to Philadelphia on Sunday for the final home game of the regular season. With a win on Tuesday and a Devils loss to Calgary on Monday night, the team can finally clinch a postseason spot after a shaky last few games.
Their next four are incredibly important in a tight race to clinch final spots, so the Flyers can't afford to rest on their heels and hope things work out in their favor. They'll need to come out strong from the get and maintain that speed and intensity throughout every game, so they can ensure a trip to the playoffs.
Scoring summary:
Matt Read, PHL – 13:30, 1st – Mark Streit (A)
Zac Rinaldo, PHL – 7:40, 2nd – Matt Read (A), Mark Streit (A)
Brayden Schenn, PHL – 14:20, 2nd – Mark Streit (A), Vincent Lecavalier (A)
Vincent Lecavalier, PHL – 17:58, 2nd – Jake Voracek (A), Steve Mason (A)
Cody Hodgson, BUF – 7:26, 3rd – Christian Erhoff (A), Tyler Ennis (A)
Brayden Schenn, PHL – 15:10, 3rd – Wayne Simmonds (A)
Mike Weber, BUF – 17:48, 3rd – Cody Hodgson (A), Matt D’Agostini (A)
Penalty summary:
Christian Erhoff, BUF – slashing (3:33, 1st)
Zac Rinaldo, PHL – goaltender interference (8:17, 1st)
Johan Larsson, BUF – interference (18:30, 1st)
Sean Couturier, PHL – interference (19:50, 1st)
Jamie McBain, BUF – interference (10:20, 2nd)
Jamie McBain, BUF – tripping (12:57, 2nd)
Zac Rinaldo, PHL – charging (15:16, 2nd)
Zac Rinaldo, PHL – tripping (19:14, 2nd)
Zac Rinaldo, PHL – match penalty for hit to the head (4:29, 3rd)
Notes: Brayden Schenn scored two goals just one other time this season, back in November against Pittsburgh… This was Vincent Lecavalier’s third multi-point game of the season… Matt Read now has eleven multi-point games… Mark Streit has seven…The team now has six 20-goal scorers… Buffalo has not won in Philadelphia since March 5, 2011… The Flyers begin a three-game road trip on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win if the New Jersey Devils lose on Monday night.
