Brandon Manning’s first NHL goal could be huge for the Philadelphia Flyers and their playoff hopes.
The 25-year-old Manning, who has played in 65 NHL games, including 44 this season prior to Monday, had never scored in the big league. That changed against the New York Islanders, when he came down the left wing and snapped a wrist shot by goalie Thomas Greiss to the top corner.
That goal gave the Flyers, a team fighting for a playoff spot, a 2-1 lead late in the second period.
Philadelphia is only three points back of the Detroit Red Wings -- they don’t play until Tuesday -- for the final Wild Card spot in the East. A win would put the Flyers one point back still with a game in hand on the Wings.