CALGARY, Alberta – The Flyers remained winless on this four-game road trip on Thursday night, as the Flames blew them out, 4-1, at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
South Jersey product Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and two assists. He leads all NHL rookie with 36 assists.
The Flyers are now 0-2-1 on this trip and can only salvage Saturday’s game in Edmonton. The loss means Boston, despite losing, needs only eight points to eliminate the Flyers from a playoff spot.
Flyers goalie Steve Mason was looking for just his second road victory of the season but was lifted late in the second period after giving up a screened goal to T.J. Brodie.
The Flyers came into the game having played 17 games (4-8-5) in which the combined goals were three or less. Three of those games were this month.
Calgary scored twice in the final four minutes of the second for a 2-0 lead and then Claude Giroux broke a 10-game goal skid with his 19th in the period’s final minute to make it a one-goal game heading into the third period.
Notable goals
How about Brodie’s long shot from the point to the far side of the net on Mason that made it 2-0 at 17:57 of the second period? Mason was screened on the shot. Flyers coach Craig Berube pulled Mason for Ray Emery and … the Flyers responded with a goal from Giroux.
Goalie report
Mason had a terrific stop on Gaudreau’s backhander in the opening period as the rookie put on some flashy moves to go right around defenseman Mark Streit.
D-pairs
The Flyers went with seven defensemen for only the third time this season and the pairs were all over the map — no less than 10 different combinations — to rotate Michael Del Zotto into the lineup, coming off a six-game injury absence.
Power play
The Flyers got a late one with three shots on net but their shots from distance were high or side of the mark. The Flames were much better at 2 for 4.
Penalty kill
The Flyers had to kill a 5-on-3 and could not do anything to prevent a goal.
Injuries
Jakub Voracek injured his left hand/wrist late in the first period. He took a cross check from Flames winger Brandon Bollig. Voracek seemed to be in pain but remained in the game.
Fights
Bollig and Zac Rinaldo threw a bunch of punches but both got roughing minors only in the second period.
Scratches
Forward Vinny Lecavalier (healthy), R.J. Umberger (hip/abdominal) and Matt Read (excused absence).
Up next
The Flyers traveled to Edmonton overnight and will meet the Oilers on Saturday at Rexall Place.