Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby each scored twice on Saturday night as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Flyers, 5-4, at the Wells Fargo Center.
Despite a dominant third period by the Flyers, Malkin was left alone at the post for a goal that broke a 4-4 tie.
Jakub Voracek scored twice for the Flyers while Claude Giroux scored his first marker. It was a very well-played game.
The Flyers actually had a 2-0 lead in the first period on home ice for the first time in five home games. Yet by the end of the period, it was the same as the previous four home games – they trailed as Pittsburgh roared back with three goals in 55 seconds.
Starter Steve Mason was lifted for Michal Neuvirth to begin the second period. That’s the third time in nine games the Flyers switched goalies.
Notable goals
Jakub Voracek’s first-period goal represented the first time in eight games – and first time on home ice this season – that the Flyers scored first.
NHL
Milestone
Voracek’s blast inside the blue line was his 100th goal as a Flyer.
Not a record
Fastest three goals against the Flyers was 42 seconds by New Jersey on Nov. 23, 1991 during a 5-5 tie.
Goalie report
Mason looked very weak on Matt Cullen’s wraparound goal that gave the Pens a 3-2 lead near the end of the first period.
Power play
Marc-Andre Fleury made some good stops in this one, including on Voracek from the edge of the circle. Giroux’s goal came on the Flyers' second power play.
Penalty kill
Crosby burned them in the low slot on the power play after roofing one under the crossbar previously five-on-five.
Sid’s stats
In 56 career games against the Flyers, Sidney Crosby now has 35 goals and 83 points.
Malkin’s stats
In 47 career games against the Flyers, Evgeni Malkin now has 24 goals and 62 points.
Long review
Late in the second, Pittsburgh challenged Giroux’s goal for an offsides on the entry pass well before the goal. Review was inconclusive and the goal stood.
Injuries
Giroux suffered a right ankle injury midway into the first period but returned, then missed shifts getting treatment. He was hurt after being checked by Patric Hornqvist. Giroux was back to full shifts by the second period.
Scratches
Injured: Forwards Scott Laughton (knee) and Michael Raffl (abdominal pull); defenseman Michael Del Zotto (knee). Healthy: forward Nick Cousins and defenseman Andrew MacDonald.
Up next
This was the first end of the Flyers' third and final back-to-back situation for the opening month. They left for Carolina after the game and will meet the Hurricanes on Sunday in a medium rare 5 p.m. start.