It wasn’t the most entertaining of hockey games as the Flyers opened a four-game homestand at Wells Fargo Center on Monday.
Yet its results that count and the Flyers defeated the Ottawa Senators, 2-1 in the shootout. Yeah, they actually won their first shootout of the season (1-5) on Wayne Simmonds' game-winner.
Craig Berube’s team came into play winless in its previous five games (0-4-1).
The Flyers lacked the entire way for follow chances on goalie Craig Anderson. Put it this way — they had just three tips the entire game: R.J. Umberger, Claude Giroux and Brayden Schenn.
Flyers captain Giroux returned to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game with a nasty skate cut on his left ankle, which was heavily taped. Which means Zac Rinaldo’s new nickname is “The Decoy,” since he was skating on the top line without Giroux in practice.
Goalie Steve Mason's last victory was Dec. 13 against Carolina. He was 0-3-2 since then.
Notable goals
Rookie Mike Hoffman had what appeared to be an offsides goal six minutes into the third period after a dandy move to the net. The Flyers apparently thought the play was offsides as many of them stopped skating, including defenseman Mark Streit, whom Hoffman went right around to the net. Always play through the whistle. The Flyers didn’t.
Goalie report
Not many heart-throbbing moments in this fray, but Mason had two very good saves on Clark MacArthur in the second period, including one from 15 feet in the slot during a Sens power play. He also robbed MacArthur with his glove in the third period. Mason finished with 41 saves. The Flyers simply didn’t test Anderson enough.
Power play
Ottawa came into the game on an epic 0-for-21 skid. They were 0 for 4; the Flyers were 1 for 4.
Penalty kill
The Flyers' last-ranked PK unit had it easy against the 20th-ranked Sens power play.
Milestone
Michael Raffl played in his 100th NHL game.
Missed opportunities
Pierre-Eduoard Bellemare, who has gone 25 games without a goal, had a 2-on-1 shorthanded chance in the first period and shot the puck into the Delaware River. Umberger deflected a Nicklas Grossmann shot off the right post in the opening minutes of play.
Injuries
Brayden Schenn suffered a skate cut from Simmonds late in the second period during a Flyers power play. He returned early in the third period. That’s three Flyer skate cuts since Dec. 31.
Fights
Simmonds won a decision over Colin Greening in the second period.
Scratches
Forward Zac Rinaldo; defensemen Carlo Colaiacovo and Luke Schenn. All were healthy.
Up next
The Flyers host the Washington Capitals on Thursday with a chance to gain ground on them in head-to-head competition.