The Philadelphia Flyers have struggled with injuries and consistency this season. They can’t seem to keep any momentum they have, playing well for a few games then an unfortunate scheduling break derails them. If they have any chance of making the playoffs they need to have big performances against teams that are ahead of them in the standings in order to make up points deficits. Tonight was one of those nights, even though Winnipeg is in the Western Conference, that they needed to win. The result was a resounding 5-2 victory at home, and they will have a 3 game winning streak when they go to face a struggling Toronto Maple Leaf team that is in free fall on Saturday.
Chris VandeVelde opened the scoring for the Flyers at 7:02 of the first period, his seventh goal of the season. Mathieu Perreault tied it for Winnipeg just over a minute later, scoring his 16th goal at 8:20. The teams then traded power play goals, with Wayne Simmonds scoring his 18th at 11:39 and Perreault tying it with his 17th at 16:57. Only one goal was scored in the second period. Flyers defenseman Nick Schultz scored his first goal in 126 games. He last scored a goal on April 18, 2013 as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. The Flyers closed out the scoring in the third period, with Brayden Schenn scoring his 11th at 4:12 and Sean Couturier adding his 11th of the season into an empty net at 18:19.
The Flyers will need a healthy Steve Mason if they are to challenge for the playoffs. He clearly gives them the best chance to win, especially the big games. The Flyers have a good chance of finishing the week 3-0 if they can beat Toronto on Saturday.