EDMONTON, Alberta — Things went from bad to worse for the Flyers on their Western Canada road swing.
After a competitive loss in Calgary, the Flyers were steamrolled by the Oilers, 6-3, on Thursday night at Rogers Place. Edmonton led 5-1 at one point.
What hurts the Flyers even more is that the Islanders moved ahead of them in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Defenseman Michael Del Zotto returned to the lineup after missing 10 games with a bone bruise in his leg. He rotated as a seventh defenseman. He had a tough first period, as did the Flyers, who trailed 2-0 early.
The Oilers scored twice in 1:15 to make it 4-1 in the second period.
Connor McDavid had a three-point effort, giving him six points in four games against the Flyers in his short career.
Back-to-backs
This was the 14th set of back-to-back games for the Flyers this season. They are now 8-4-2 in the second game of back-to-back sets.
Mr. Softee
Goes to Michal Neuvirth for the Matt Hendricks goal just 2:14 into the game.
Upheld
The Flyers challenged that Mark Letestu was offside on Hendricks’ goal. Upon review, the goal was upheld even though Letestu entered the zone well ahead of the puck. Even with review, the NHL can’t get it right often enough.
Notable goals
The Oilers’ fourth goal hit Brandon Manning, then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and went into the net. It began as a point shot from Adam Larsson.
Goalie report
Neuvirth was making his sixth start in seven games. He gave up two goals on just eight shots to start the game and gave up four on 12 shots. Not a very sharp outing, eh? The last time the Flyers gave up six goals was Jan. 14 in a 6-3 loss in Boston.
Power play
Does it matter? The Flyers got a score in the third period from Brayden Schenn for their first power-play goal in three games.
Ivan Provorov replaced Jakub Voracek on the first unit on one of those power plays, but Voracek assisted on the goal the Flyers scored.
The Flyers were 1 for 3 on the power play in the game.
Penalty kill
None.
Injuries
Jordan Weal suffered an upper-body injury late in the first period. The Flyers went with 10 forwards for the rest of the game.
Fights
Scrums early and often. The Oilers seemed to be targeting Manning and Patrick Maroon tuned him up pretty good in a second-period fight. Props to Manning for standing in there and not going down.
Scratches
Defenseman Nick Schultz (healthy) and forwards Dale Weise and Roman Lyubimov (both healthy).
Up next
The Flyers are off on Friday. They will practice Saturday in the outskirts of Vancouver and meet the Canucks on Sunday night.