PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Wayne Simmonds scored his 12th goal of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 Thursday night.
Mark Streit and captain Claude Giroux exchanged passes in the attacking zone before Streit fired a long-ranger on goal.
The shot was high and beaten to the ice by Simmonds, who fired his own deflection clean past the Devils net-minder for the go-ahead strike.
"You get that insurance goal, you don't want to go down right to the last two minutes only up one goal there," Simmonds said. "We were getting shots in on the power play and I thought it was only a matter of time before we put one in."
The goal came with an extra man to give the Flyers a 1-for-5 mark on the power-play, where Philly ranks 4th-best in hockey.
Jakub Voracek added an empty-netter at 17:30 when Cory Schneider was pulled to give Jersey the extra man, and the 25-year-old Czech notched his 10th goal and 25th point on the year, the latter mark a team-best.
"We kept putting pressure on their defense in the third up a goal, and we pulled it out," Sean Couturier said afterwards. His goal and assist came in the opening period.
The victory gives Philadelphia (10-13-5) points in four straight games as they open a four-game homestand, that after a meager 1-3-1 road trip.
And gives New Jersey their fifth-straight losing decision, though they came within 2-1 in the second period when Martin Havlat snuck past Ray Emery for his 3rd on the season with an extra man.
Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr assisted after exchanging passes from inside the circle, and Havlat took a pass on the tape, flicking it past Emery's left pad.
With that point, Gomez moved into 4th place all-time among Devils with 337 assists.
Emery only faced 18 shots against him for the Flyers to Cory Schneider' 35 for the Devils, stopping 32 before being pulled in the game's final twenty seconds.
Philadelphia raced out to a 2-0 lead after the first period as Sean Couturier and Matt Read exchanged roles on each other's goals.
Their first came in the least likely of places, their 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the season when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 against Schneider.
Read had brought the puck into the Devils zone before darting what would be an assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrister clean to the goalie's right side.
The goal was the center's 6th strike this year for Broad Street.
"We wanted to get off to a good start and maintain that for sixty minutes," Couturier said.
He and Matt Read switched places on the Flyers' second goal as Couturier assisted on what became Read's third in Philly's ledger this season.
Couturier was handling the puck after some passing behind the Jersey net, finding Read sneaking towards the crease, finding a hole to the Schneider's left side at 13:37.
"Just keep doing the little things right and eventually something's going to go your way," Read said after the game. "It's good to get one but you have to work hard every night and do the little things right and do the little things to help your team win."
Scott Laughton gave the Flyers two chances late, on a pass to Wayne Simmonds in the crease that found Schneider's pad, and a long give to Brayden Schenn who fired from near the blue line that was caught just in time.
"We wanna stay in the playoffs," Couturier said, "and to stay in the right place, we gotta put some wins on the board."
Their next chance comes when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to South Philadelphia Saturday.
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philadelphia Flyers. Show all posts
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Devils strike back, trail Flyers 2-1 after two periods
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Martin Havlat notched his 3rd goal this season as the Devils come within a 2-1 deficit to the Flyers after two periods Thursday night.
The goal came when the Devils took the man advantage after Philadelphia's Nick Schultz was booked for tripping Scott Gomez.
Gomez would assist on the score, taking a pass from Damon Severson from the blue line into the circle, flicking a wrist pass onto Jaromir Jagr's stick that bounced off Havlat and past Ray Emery's left pad.
Until then, the Devils were outshot 9-6 in the period, a slow moving twenty minutes that ended with the visitors behind in shots 22-11.
Ray Emery stopped 10-of-11 for Philadelphia, who returns home from a forgetful 1-3-1 road trip, tonight's game beginning a four-game homestand.
Devils right-winger Mike Sisso sat at 10:05 for holding Niklas Grossman, giving the Flyers their third chance on the night in 5-on-4 action.
Wayne Simmonds tried Cory Schneider from close range early with the advantage from inside the crease, but was batted away by the goalie's right pad.
Brayden Schenn tried again after the Flyers regained possession from between the circles, stopped easily by his glove.
Philly brought out their second unit with a minute left in the power-play, though they would prove little better.
Andrew Macdonald tried two shots, from close in a scrum near the goal line and a slap shot from outside the circle, both stuffed by the Jersey net-minder.
That would end the Flyers' 4th-best power-play opportunity as the team fell to an 0-for-4 mark with the extra man.
Cory Schneider faced 22 shots, stopping 20 in forty minutes for Jersey.
New Jersey (11-13-5) came out quickly, but shortly, against Ray Emery to start the second.
Jaromir Jagr tried Emery at 2:30 after skating brilliantly through traffic, but was deflected wide.
Steve Bernier took a long pass and ventured a backhander against Emery that only found the goalie's chest.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux responded, taking a pass from Braydon Coburn, then breaking away for a chance on Schneider that ended up in his glove.
Ray Emery stood against a game 3-on-1 chance from the Devils, batting away two chances in succession in his crease seven minutes into the middle frame.
R.J. Umberger nearly snuck one past Schneider a minute later in the Jersey crease when he took a pass from behind the net, but the net-minder was a step quicker for the visitors.
The period began with 23 seconds remaining on New Jersey's Martin Havlat's tripping penalty against Mark Streit.
Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted in the first period, including the Flyers' first shorthanded goal this season for a 2-0 lead after twenty.
Thursday night's game is the second of four in which the Flyers and Devils will meet. New Jersey took the first a, 6-4 decision Oct. 9th, and lead the Flyers by four points in the Metropolitan Division standing.
The goal came when the Devils took the man advantage after Philadelphia's Nick Schultz was booked for tripping Scott Gomez.
Gomez would assist on the score, taking a pass from Damon Severson from the blue line into the circle, flicking a wrist pass onto Jaromir Jagr's stick that bounced off Havlat and past Ray Emery's left pad.
Until then, the Devils were outshot 9-6 in the period, a slow moving twenty minutes that ended with the visitors behind in shots 22-11.
Ray Emery stopped 10-of-11 for Philadelphia, who returns home from a forgetful 1-3-1 road trip, tonight's game beginning a four-game homestand.
Devils right-winger Mike Sisso sat at 10:05 for holding Niklas Grossman, giving the Flyers their third chance on the night in 5-on-4 action.
Wayne Simmonds tried Cory Schneider from close range early with the advantage from inside the crease, but was batted away by the goalie's right pad.
Brayden Schenn tried again after the Flyers regained possession from between the circles, stopped easily by his glove.
Philly brought out their second unit with a minute left in the power-play, though they would prove little better.
Andrew Macdonald tried two shots, from close in a scrum near the goal line and a slap shot from outside the circle, both stuffed by the Jersey net-minder.
That would end the Flyers' 4th-best power-play opportunity as the team fell to an 0-for-4 mark with the extra man.
Cory Schneider faced 22 shots, stopping 20 in forty minutes for Jersey.
New Jersey (11-13-5) came out quickly, but shortly, against Ray Emery to start the second.
Jaromir Jagr tried Emery at 2:30 after skating brilliantly through traffic, but was deflected wide.
Steve Bernier took a long pass and ventured a backhander against Emery that only found the goalie's chest.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux responded, taking a pass from Braydon Coburn, then breaking away for a chance on Schneider that ended up in his glove.
Ray Emery stood against a game 3-on-1 chance from the Devils, batting away two chances in succession in his crease seven minutes into the middle frame.
R.J. Umberger nearly snuck one past Schneider a minute later in the Jersey crease when he took a pass from behind the net, but the net-minder was a step quicker for the visitors.
The period began with 23 seconds remaining on New Jersey's Martin Havlat's tripping penalty against Mark Streit.
Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted in the first period, including the Flyers' first shorthanded goal this season for a 2-0 lead after twenty.
Thursday night's game is the second of four in which the Flyers and Devils will meet. New Jersey took the first a, 6-4 decision Oct. 9th, and lead the Flyers by four points in the Metropolitan Division standing.
Flyers leading Devils 2-0 after first period
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted on each other's goals as the Flyers take a 2-0 lead over the New Jersey Devils after one period Thursday night.
Their first came as a pleasant surprise for their 29th-ranked penalty killers.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the year when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 development.
Read brought the puck himself into the Devils zone before darting the assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrist shot clean past Cory Schneider's right side for his 6th goal this season.
New Jersey was a man down at 3:04 after putting a sixth man into play. Jordin Tootoo served the penalty for the visitors.
Couturier and Read would strike again for the home side, with their roles reversed, the former assisting and the latter scoring.
After some passing near the Devils net, Nick Schultz fired the puck behind Schneider, finding its way to Couturier, nestled along the near boards outside the circle.
He fired to Read, who came open suddenly and snuck into the crease, finding a hole to the goalie's left side for the advantage at 13:37.
Cory Schneider stopped 8-of-10 after twenty minutes for the Devils, who are 2-4-2 in their last 8 outings, though have taken four straight from the Flyers in Philadelphia.
He nearly allowed a late power-play chance from inside his crease when Wayne Simmonds overpowered him with a minute remaining, and again thirty seconds later when Brayden Schenn tried a one-time blast from near the blue line.
Jersey's Martin Havlat was serving two minutes for tripping Mark Streit.
Philadelphia (9-13-5) returns to Wells Fargo Center after a 1-3-1 road trip over five contests, the sole victory a 2-1 decision over Los Angeles last Saturday.
Their first came as a pleasant surprise for their 29th-ranked penalty killers.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the year when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 development.
Read brought the puck himself into the Devils zone before darting the assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrist shot clean past Cory Schneider's right side for his 6th goal this season.
New Jersey was a man down at 3:04 after putting a sixth man into play. Jordin Tootoo served the penalty for the visitors.
Couturier and Read would strike again for the home side, with their roles reversed, the former assisting and the latter scoring.
After some passing near the Devils net, Nick Schultz fired the puck behind Schneider, finding its way to Couturier, nestled along the near boards outside the circle.
He fired to Read, who came open suddenly and snuck into the crease, finding a hole to the goalie's left side for the advantage at 13:37.
Cory Schneider stopped 8-of-10 after twenty minutes for the Devils, who are 2-4-2 in their last 8 outings, though have taken four straight from the Flyers in Philadelphia.
He nearly allowed a late power-play chance from inside his crease when Wayne Simmonds overpowered him with a minute remaining, and again thirty seconds later when Brayden Schenn tried a one-time blast from near the blue line.
Jersey's Martin Havlat was serving two minutes for tripping Mark Streit.
Philadelphia (9-13-5) returns to Wells Fargo Center after a 1-3-1 road trip over five contests, the sole victory a 2-1 decision over Los Angeles last Saturday.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Flyers GM: Berube is safe
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Flyers head coach Craig Berube will not be released from duty, according to general manager Ron Hextall.
There had been speculations into the contrary as the team is suffering a 1-7-2 mark in their last ten outings, including an 0-4-2 result in their last six.
"Everybody's in this and we all have to do a better job," Hextall said Friday. "I have no plans of replacing the coach."
Philadelphia (8-13-4) is coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at Anaheim Wednesday, a game in which they held a two-goal lead.
And they are in the midst of a five-game road trip, visiting all three California hockey clubs, though the Flyers are 2-9-2 away from home this season.
"I can say this, there's culpability from all of us," Hextall added, "from myself, Chief [Berube], the assistant coaches, the players, everybody."
They are 0-3 this season against their arch-rival New York Rangers, being outscored 10-2 in that time, dropping two games to them in as many days.
Sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division (20 pts), the Flyers are still in postseason contention.
"We're not done by any stretch of the imagination," the defiant GM said. "We gotta put a streak together."
Their first chance will come Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
There had been speculations into the contrary as the team is suffering a 1-7-2 mark in their last ten outings, including an 0-4-2 result in their last six.
"Everybody's in this and we all have to do a better job," Hextall said Friday. "I have no plans of replacing the coach."
Philadelphia (8-13-4) is coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at Anaheim Wednesday, a game in which they held a two-goal lead.
And they are in the midst of a five-game road trip, visiting all three California hockey clubs, though the Flyers are 2-9-2 away from home this season.
"I can say this, there's culpability from all of us," Hextall added, "from myself, Chief [Berube], the assistant coaches, the players, everybody."
They are 0-3 this season against their arch-rival New York Rangers, being outscored 10-2 in that time, dropping two games to them in as many days.
Sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division (20 pts), the Flyers are still in postseason contention.
"We're not done by any stretch of the imagination," the defiant GM said. "We gotta put a streak together."
Their first chance will come Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Sharks strike with :11 to down Flyers 2-1
San Jose, Ca. - Matt Nieto struck for the Sharks with :11.5 remaining on the clock to put San Jose ahead 2-1 of the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night.
After a turnover in some confusion in the neutral zone with time running out, Nieto kicked the puck to Patrick Marleau, who came open to the left side, received the pass, and charged for Steve Mason alone.
His shot was pushed wide by the goalie, however, who fell to his back on the save attempt after some bouncing around in the crease.
Both sides thought an overtime period was imminent.
In that time, though, Marleau's shot came loose and into the path of Nieto, who had skated up the ice to assist a second earlier.
He found the puck all alone, slicing the back-hander easily past Mason's right as he was still on his back and with Flyers all around him sprawled on the ice.
Mason held his right glove out in earnest.
And in vain.
The improvised game-winner was Nieto's 3rd goal this season and his first to win a contest on the year.
"My linemates did a good job creating havoc in front of the net," Nieto said afterwards. "Luckily, the puck popped out to me and I had an empty net."
And in a heartbeat, the Flyers suffer their 5th-straight losing hockey game on the road, falling to 2-9-1 away from South Philly.
That, with three more on the road coming, against the Kings and Ducks before meeting Columbus.
The first fifty-nine minutes and forty-eight seconds of the night, however, gave the Flyers (8-13-4) hope that their road campaign would be resurrected.
Philadelphia took possession of the first period, dominating their hosts and keeping the puck consistently on the attack.
They outshot San Jose 16-6 in the first twenty minutes, culminated in a power-play strike from Sean Couturier for the center's 5th goal on the year.
Couturier cashed in through a screen of defenders after taking a pass from Andrew Macdonald in traffic for his first goal in 11 games.
Antti Niemi stopped 15 of those first 16 shots against him, though would stop the next 13 in succession as the Sharks regained momentum into the middle frame.
Niemi finished saving 28-of-29 for the Sharks and Mason stopped 25-of-27.
San Jose returned the shooting favor to the Flyers, outshooting them 13-6 in the second.
Marc-Edouard Velsic would finally light the lamp for the Sharks at 17:44 for his 3rd score this season.
The defenseman received a pass from Tommy Wengels after Logan Couture took possession after a turnover in the neutral zone. Couture skated along the boards and darted a pass across to Wengels.
Vlasic came open in stride to the right of the net, took a pass into the slot from Wengels, and went top shelf on Mason to tie the game 1-1.
It was a second period that was dominated by the Sharks as the Flyers had the first.
San Jose took the man-advantage at 1:57, putting their 4th-best power-play unit against the Flyers' second-worst penalty-killers.
They would end the night 0-for-1 with an extra man, though not without putting a few scares into Steve Mason along the way.
Brent Burns shot quick from the left circle off a cross-ice pass before the chance was pushed aside, and his pass seconds later inside to Joe Pavelski outside the crease was gloved by the goalie.
There was a scramble in the crease with seconds left in the advantage that fuond almost every man on the ice within two feet of the goal, though Mason persevered, pushing the puck free from the pack in the confusion.
The third period was even between the two sides, with the Sharks outshooting the Flyers 8-7 as each team fought for what they believed would be the game-winning goal.
Andrew Desjardins ventured a 1-on-1 against Steve Mason seven minutes into the final session after a turnover, but the backhander slipped from his grasp and petered to the right as he collided with the goalie.
Wayne Simmonds almost fired a slap shot to Niemi's right at 5:17 in the third before being gloved in the corner of the crease.
Tomas Hurtl would venture two back-handers in as many seconds with 5 minutes left, the first bouncing off the Mason's pad and the second floating wide left of the net.
Wayne Simmonds took that loose puck and went the other way for Philly on a lingering chance to the left of Antti Niemi that would also end up wide.
Tommy Wengels fired a one-timer to Mason that went high and wide from the right with three minutes left.
But it would be the 22-year-old Nieto who stole the decision for the Sharks, who host the Boston Bruins on Dec. 4th.
San Jose is 13-1-2 in their last 16 contests against the Flyers.
Sharks center Logan Couture went to the team's dressing room as the third period began after being on the wrong end of a collision with Philly's Michael Raffl in the circle in the Sharks zone.
Couture's two goals lifted the Sharks to a 6-4 victory over Anaheim three nights ago.
After a turnover in some confusion in the neutral zone with time running out, Nieto kicked the puck to Patrick Marleau, who came open to the left side, received the pass, and charged for Steve Mason alone.
His shot was pushed wide by the goalie, however, who fell to his back on the save attempt after some bouncing around in the crease.
Both sides thought an overtime period was imminent.
In that time, though, Marleau's shot came loose and into the path of Nieto, who had skated up the ice to assist a second earlier.
He found the puck all alone, slicing the back-hander easily past Mason's right as he was still on his back and with Flyers all around him sprawled on the ice.
Mason held his right glove out in earnest.
And in vain.
The improvised game-winner was Nieto's 3rd goal this season and his first to win a contest on the year.
"My linemates did a good job creating havoc in front of the net," Nieto said afterwards. "Luckily, the puck popped out to me and I had an empty net."
And in a heartbeat, the Flyers suffer their 5th-straight losing hockey game on the road, falling to 2-9-1 away from South Philly.
That, with three more on the road coming, against the Kings and Ducks before meeting Columbus.
The first fifty-nine minutes and forty-eight seconds of the night, however, gave the Flyers (8-13-4) hope that their road campaign would be resurrected.
Philadelphia took possession of the first period, dominating their hosts and keeping the puck consistently on the attack.
They outshot San Jose 16-6 in the first twenty minutes, culminated in a power-play strike from Sean Couturier for the center's 5th goal on the year.
Couturier cashed in through a screen of defenders after taking a pass from Andrew Macdonald in traffic for his first goal in 11 games.
Antti Niemi stopped 15 of those first 16 shots against him, though would stop the next 13 in succession as the Sharks regained momentum into the middle frame.
Niemi finished saving 28-of-29 for the Sharks and Mason stopped 25-of-27.
San Jose returned the shooting favor to the Flyers, outshooting them 13-6 in the second.
Marc-Edouard Velsic would finally light the lamp for the Sharks at 17:44 for his 3rd score this season.
The defenseman received a pass from Tommy Wengels after Logan Couture took possession after a turnover in the neutral zone. Couture skated along the boards and darted a pass across to Wengels.
Vlasic came open in stride to the right of the net, took a pass into the slot from Wengels, and went top shelf on Mason to tie the game 1-1.
It was a second period that was dominated by the Sharks as the Flyers had the first.
San Jose took the man-advantage at 1:57, putting their 4th-best power-play unit against the Flyers' second-worst penalty-killers.
They would end the night 0-for-1 with an extra man, though not without putting a few scares into Steve Mason along the way.
Brent Burns shot quick from the left circle off a cross-ice pass before the chance was pushed aside, and his pass seconds later inside to Joe Pavelski outside the crease was gloved by the goalie.
There was a scramble in the crease with seconds left in the advantage that fuond almost every man on the ice within two feet of the goal, though Mason persevered, pushing the puck free from the pack in the confusion.
The third period was even between the two sides, with the Sharks outshooting the Flyers 8-7 as each team fought for what they believed would be the game-winning goal.
Andrew Desjardins ventured a 1-on-1 against Steve Mason seven minutes into the final session after a turnover, but the backhander slipped from his grasp and petered to the right as he collided with the goalie.
Wayne Simmonds almost fired a slap shot to Niemi's right at 5:17 in the third before being gloved in the corner of the crease.
Tomas Hurtl would venture two back-handers in as many seconds with 5 minutes left, the first bouncing off the Mason's pad and the second floating wide left of the net.
Wayne Simmonds took that loose puck and went the other way for Philly on a lingering chance to the left of Antti Niemi that would also end up wide.
Tommy Wengels fired a one-timer to Mason that went high and wide from the right with three minutes left.
But it would be the 22-year-old Nieto who stole the decision for the Sharks, who host the Boston Bruins on Dec. 4th.
San Jose is 13-1-2 in their last 16 contests against the Flyers.
Sharks center Logan Couture went to the team's dressing room as the third period began after being on the wrong end of a collision with Philly's Michael Raffl in the circle in the Sharks zone.
Couture's two goals lifted the Sharks to a 6-4 victory over Anaheim three nights ago.
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Sharks tie Flyers 1-1 late after two periods
San Jose, Ca. - Marc Edouard Vlasic lit the lamp for the Sharks as they draw even with the Philadelphia Flyers 1-1 after two periods Tuesday night.
After a flurry of passes in the neutral zone following a turnover, Logan Couture came streaking down the right boards with a purpose.
He darted a pass across to Tommy Wengels who came open near the net for a chance, but instead passed quick to his left, where Vlasic was in stride for the top-shelf strike over Steve Mason's right shoulder, his 3rd goal this season.
Steve Mason never saw it coming.
San Jose nearly took a 2-1 lead into the break were it not for a failed power-play chance earlier in the middle frame.
Niklas Frossman was booked two minutes for tripping Tomas Hertl early on, at 1:57, putting the Sharks' 4th-best power-play against the Flyers' second-worst penalty kill unit.
Those numbers showed early and late, as Philadelphia struggled keeping Steve Mason free from the home side's charge.
Brent Burns shot quick from the left circle off a cross-ice pass before the chance was pushed aside, and his pass seconds later inside to Joe Pavelski outside the crease was gloved by the goalie.
There was a scramble in the crease with seconds left in the advantage that found almost every man on the ice within two feet of the goal, though Mason persevered, pushing the puck free from the pack in the confusion.
That puck found Grossman, just free from the penalty box, breaking away from the scrum easily as the power-play ended and charged the Sharks net alone, but Niemi would secure the save after stretching out to reach the chance.
Matt Nieto faced Mason alone on a charge at the 15-minute mark when the puck slipped from some poor Flyers passing in the neutral zone, but his shot from very close range was pushed aside left.
Steve Mason stopped 18-of-19 for Philadelphia after a sleepy 6-shot first period.
Philadelphia played 5-on-4 hockey after Matt Read was interefered by Justin Braun at 9:50.
Captain Claude Giroux struck early, firing in front of Antti Niemi 15 seconds into the advantage, but was pushed wide. Giroux tried again with 1:10 left after taking a pass across from Brayden Schenn, but Niemi was there with the kick-save as the puck trailed back down the ice.
Antti Niemi saved 21-of-22 shots for the Sharks (11-10-4).
Tommy Wingels almost broke away at the 7-minute mark when he trailed down the right side, but Nick Shultz kept the center from the Philly net, putting his stick on the chance.
Sean Couturier opened scoring in the first period with a power-play goal for the Flyers, his 5th goal on the season and his first in 11 games for the team.
Philadelphia (8-12-3) last won on the road at Pittsburgh on Oct. 22nd and are suffering a 7-game losing streak.
After a flurry of passes in the neutral zone following a turnover, Logan Couture came streaking down the right boards with a purpose.
He darted a pass across to Tommy Wengels who came open near the net for a chance, but instead passed quick to his left, where Vlasic was in stride for the top-shelf strike over Steve Mason's right shoulder, his 3rd goal this season.
Steve Mason never saw it coming.
San Jose nearly took a 2-1 lead into the break were it not for a failed power-play chance earlier in the middle frame.
Niklas Frossman was booked two minutes for tripping Tomas Hertl early on, at 1:57, putting the Sharks' 4th-best power-play against the Flyers' second-worst penalty kill unit.
Those numbers showed early and late, as Philadelphia struggled keeping Steve Mason free from the home side's charge.
Brent Burns shot quick from the left circle off a cross-ice pass before the chance was pushed aside, and his pass seconds later inside to Joe Pavelski outside the crease was gloved by the goalie.
There was a scramble in the crease with seconds left in the advantage that found almost every man on the ice within two feet of the goal, though Mason persevered, pushing the puck free from the pack in the confusion.
That puck found Grossman, just free from the penalty box, breaking away from the scrum easily as the power-play ended and charged the Sharks net alone, but Niemi would secure the save after stretching out to reach the chance.
Matt Nieto faced Mason alone on a charge at the 15-minute mark when the puck slipped from some poor Flyers passing in the neutral zone, but his shot from very close range was pushed aside left.
Steve Mason stopped 18-of-19 for Philadelphia after a sleepy 6-shot first period.
Philadelphia played 5-on-4 hockey after Matt Read was interefered by Justin Braun at 9:50.
Captain Claude Giroux struck early, firing in front of Antti Niemi 15 seconds into the advantage, but was pushed wide. Giroux tried again with 1:10 left after taking a pass across from Brayden Schenn, but Niemi was there with the kick-save as the puck trailed back down the ice.
Antti Niemi saved 21-of-22 shots for the Sharks (11-10-4).
Tommy Wingels almost broke away at the 7-minute mark when he trailed down the right side, but Nick Shultz kept the center from the Philly net, putting his stick on the chance.
Sean Couturier opened scoring in the first period with a power-play goal for the Flyers, his 5th goal on the season and his first in 11 games for the team.
Philadelphia (8-12-3) last won on the road at Pittsburgh on Oct. 22nd and are suffering a 7-game losing streak.
Flyers leading Sharks 1-0 after first period
San Jose, Ca. - Sean Couturier struck first as the Philadelphia Flyers lead the San Jose Sharks 1-0 after an inspired first period from the visitors Tuesday night.
The center fired to Antti Niemi's right side with 42 seconds left on the power-play, firing a pass from Andrew Macdonald from close range. The goal was Couturier's 5th this season and his first in 11 games.
Philadelphia earned the man advantage when San Jose's James Sheppard was booked two minutes for interfering with Scott Laughton at 4:18.
Giroux passed to Simmonds near the crease seconds earlier, but the forward's chance went wide. San Jose cleared the puck seconds later before Jakub VOracek brought it back into the Sharks zone and tried again, also wide.
Logan Couture and Tommy Wingels had a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance on Steve Mason when the puck slipped from Flyers' possession, but Couture's back-hander ended up in Mason's glove.
Mason was largely unmolested in the first session, stopping 6-of-6 shots.
Matt Reid tried a one-timer for the Flyers at 12:30 when he came open to the front of the goal, but his quick shot was batted away by Niemi.
Wayne Simmonds tried again from the right side halfway through the session, taking a pass from Brayden Schenn in a sudden 3-on-2, but was gloved.
Niemi was busy in net for the Sharks, stopping 15-of-16 for San Jose.
Couturier and Brenden Dillon fought at 14:58. Dillon landed three punches on Couturier's head early, but the Flyers center responded with two of his own until officials broke them up. Both sat for five minutes.
Philadelphia (8-12-3) is in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, including two straight defeats in as many days to the New York Rangers.
San Jose (11-10-4) is hosting the fifth of a six-game home stand (1-4), their sole victory a 6-4 decision to Anaheim three days ago.
Vincent Lecavalier was listed out by the Flyers as a healthy scratch for the first time in his career.
The center fired to Antti Niemi's right side with 42 seconds left on the power-play, firing a pass from Andrew Macdonald from close range. The goal was Couturier's 5th this season and his first in 11 games.
Philadelphia earned the man advantage when San Jose's James Sheppard was booked two minutes for interfering with Scott Laughton at 4:18.
Giroux passed to Simmonds near the crease seconds earlier, but the forward's chance went wide. San Jose cleared the puck seconds later before Jakub VOracek brought it back into the Sharks zone and tried again, also wide.
Logan Couture and Tommy Wingels had a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance on Steve Mason when the puck slipped from Flyers' possession, but Couture's back-hander ended up in Mason's glove.
Mason was largely unmolested in the first session, stopping 6-of-6 shots.
Matt Reid tried a one-timer for the Flyers at 12:30 when he came open to the front of the goal, but his quick shot was batted away by Niemi.
Wayne Simmonds tried again from the right side halfway through the session, taking a pass from Brayden Schenn in a sudden 3-on-2, but was gloved.
Niemi was busy in net for the Sharks, stopping 15-of-16 for San Jose.
Couturier and Brenden Dillon fought at 14:58. Dillon landed three punches on Couturier's head early, but the Flyers center responded with two of his own until officials broke them up. Both sat for five minutes.
Philadelphia (8-12-3) is in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, including two straight defeats in as many days to the New York Rangers.
San Jose (11-10-4) is hosting the fifth of a six-game home stand (1-4), their sole victory a 6-4 decision to Anaheim three days ago.
Vincent Lecavalier was listed out by the Flyers as a healthy scratch for the first time in his career.
Flyers-Sharks preview
San Jose, Ca. - Broad Street is yet to produce a single bully this season as the Flyers seek to improve their 2-8-1 away record in San Jose Tuesday night.
They will play the second of a five-game road trip on which they are already a quick 0-1, and are winless in their last seven road outings.
Philadelphia (8-12-3, 19 pts) suffered a 5-2 decision to their arch-rival New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Saturday after being shutout 3-0 by them at home the day before.
Cam Talbot stopped 57-of-57 shots fired against him in two games against the Flyers this year. Henrik Lundqvist stopped another 21-of-23 two days ago.
Rendering the Flyers 2-of-80 against the Rangers' goal this season.
They are currently on a 4-game losing streak overall, ending November 1-7-1, being outscored 15-4 in that stretch, a 4-3 victory over lowly Columbus their only positive mark.
"It's mental," head coach Craig Berube said this week. "Every guy has to man up and do their job. My job is to get these guys going in the right direction."
Puck control has been an area of concern for the Flyers, who in their Nov. 28th defeat to New York allowed a game-winning goal from the visitors after a costly turnover deep in their own zone.
Every Ranger touched the puck on the play after a turnover in the corner boards, taking a 3-on-1 rush to Steve Mason, who suffered the go-ahead shot to his right side.
"We don't skate," Jakub Voracek said. "We are slower everywhere. That's the problem."
The right-winger is one of few bright spots for the Flyers. His 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) rank second in the game behind Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, with whom he has enjoyed the points-lead for much of the season.
"There's only one way to figure it out, and that's together," forward Wayne Simmonds said this week. "If you start abandoning guys now and don't have everyone supportive, then it's going to keep going the wrong way."
A wrong way that includes the second-worst penalty kill in hockey (73.8 pct). During their sour November campaign, the Flyers have stopped only 65.7 percent of shots a man down, a number that falls to 62.2 percent on the road.
Which may spell trouble against the Sharks' 4th-best power play (23.8 pct).
San Jose (11-10-4, 26 pts) defeated Anaheim 6-4 three nights ago after suffering their own four-game losing streak. Logan Couture notched two goals after waking up that morning in the hospital with an illness.
"We needed it," Couture said afterwards. He notched a shorthanded goal on a breakaway and his 10 goals this year shares the team's best scoring mark. The center has also secured five straight contests with a point earned.
And has scored 3 goals in the Sharks' last two meetings with Philadelphia.
"We haven't been scoring as many goals, so it was good to find some way to score."
They jumped out to a 5-1 second period lead before allowing three consecutive goals.
Joe Thornton leads the team with 21 points in 25 games, (7 goals, 14 assists) and recorded an assist on Joe Pavelski's power-play goal in victory over the Ducks.
And he is enjoying a 12-game points streak against the Flyers with 17 points in that time.
But San Jose has gone only 2-5-2 in their last 7 outings, during which they scored 14 goals.
"We've got to put something together," Couture said after their win Saturday. "It's one game, we've played one game well before, then played five [bad] ones, so we've got to figure it out and put some good games together."
Flyers starting goalie Steve Mason is winless in his last four starts, and Ray Emery in relief has been downed in his last three appearances, with a 4.35 goals-against average.
San Jose is 9-2-2 this season when scoring first.
They will play the second of a five-game road trip on which they are already a quick 0-1, and are winless in their last seven road outings.
Philadelphia (8-12-3, 19 pts) suffered a 5-2 decision to their arch-rival New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Saturday after being shutout 3-0 by them at home the day before.
Cam Talbot stopped 57-of-57 shots fired against him in two games against the Flyers this year. Henrik Lundqvist stopped another 21-of-23 two days ago.
Rendering the Flyers 2-of-80 against the Rangers' goal this season.
They are currently on a 4-game losing streak overall, ending November 1-7-1, being outscored 15-4 in that stretch, a 4-3 victory over lowly Columbus their only positive mark.
"It's mental," head coach Craig Berube said this week. "Every guy has to man up and do their job. My job is to get these guys going in the right direction."
Puck control has been an area of concern for the Flyers, who in their Nov. 28th defeat to New York allowed a game-winning goal from the visitors after a costly turnover deep in their own zone.
Every Ranger touched the puck on the play after a turnover in the corner boards, taking a 3-on-1 rush to Steve Mason, who suffered the go-ahead shot to his right side.
"We don't skate," Jakub Voracek said. "We are slower everywhere. That's the problem."
The right-winger is one of few bright spots for the Flyers. His 32 points (9 goals, 23 assists) rank second in the game behind Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, with whom he has enjoyed the points-lead for much of the season.
"There's only one way to figure it out, and that's together," forward Wayne Simmonds said this week. "If you start abandoning guys now and don't have everyone supportive, then it's going to keep going the wrong way."
A wrong way that includes the second-worst penalty kill in hockey (73.8 pct). During their sour November campaign, the Flyers have stopped only 65.7 percent of shots a man down, a number that falls to 62.2 percent on the road.
Which may spell trouble against the Sharks' 4th-best power play (23.8 pct).
San Jose (11-10-4, 26 pts) defeated Anaheim 6-4 three nights ago after suffering their own four-game losing streak. Logan Couture notched two goals after waking up that morning in the hospital with an illness.
"We needed it," Couture said afterwards. He notched a shorthanded goal on a breakaway and his 10 goals this year shares the team's best scoring mark. The center has also secured five straight contests with a point earned.
And has scored 3 goals in the Sharks' last two meetings with Philadelphia.
"We haven't been scoring as many goals, so it was good to find some way to score."
They jumped out to a 5-1 second period lead before allowing three consecutive goals.
Joe Thornton leads the team with 21 points in 25 games, (7 goals, 14 assists) and recorded an assist on Joe Pavelski's power-play goal in victory over the Ducks.
And he is enjoying a 12-game points streak against the Flyers with 17 points in that time.
But San Jose has gone only 2-5-2 in their last 7 outings, during which they scored 14 goals.
"We've got to put something together," Couture said after their win Saturday. "It's one game, we've played one game well before, then played five [bad] ones, so we've got to figure it out and put some good games together."
Flyers starting goalie Steve Mason is winless in his last four starts, and Ray Emery in relief has been downed in his last three appearances, with a 4.35 goals-against average.
San Jose is 9-2-2 this season when scoring first.
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