Flyers snap Pens' winning streak, 3-1
PITTSBURGH — The Philadelphia Flyers used the power play to go a long way toward securing home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Simon Gagne and Scott Hartnell each scored a power play goal, and the Flyers beat Pittsburgh 3-1 on Sunday for the Penguins' first loss in a month.
Philadelphia won its second in a row to open a two-point lead over Pittsburgh in the race for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage in the first round. The Flyers have three games in hand on the Penguins.
"They clicked on the power play, they won the power play and the special teams part of the game, which is a big factor," Pittsburgh interim coach Dan Bylsma said.
Martin Biron made 27 saves, and Darroll Powe added an empty-net goal that Hartnell assisted on for the Flyers, who have 88 points with 11 games to play to the Penguins' 86 with eight games left.
Kris Letang scored for Pittsburgh, which hadn't lost since Feb. 22 at Washington. The team had been 8-0-2 in its past 10 and lost in regulation for only the second time in 17 games under Bylsma.
Philadelphia ranks in the top six of the league in both power play and penalty kill percentage and leads the NHL in shorthanded goals while not allowing a shorthanded tally all season.
"Obviously, (the power play) was big tonight," said Philadelphia coach John Stevens. "It goes us an early lead, which I thought was important. The penalty kill (also) did an outstanding job."
Gagne's 29th goal came 5:19 into the contest, when he fired home a loose puck from the left faceoff circle.
The Flyers made it 2-0 with another power play goal 2:54 into the second. Hartnell was credited with his 27th of the season when Jeff Carter's shot from the right circle grazed off Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton and Hartnell into the net behind Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
Although the play was reviewed, it was clear Hartnell did not display any distinct kicking motion to direct the puck into the net.
"(Daniel Briere) made a good play going wide, fed (Carter), and I don't know if he tried to shoot it or if he knew I was backdoor and had my stick and my skates kind of angled toward the net and was able to find my skate and go in," Hartnell said. "I definitely didn't kick it."
The Penguins lead the league in victories when trailing after two periods (11), but a possible comeback was thwarted.
