The Pittsburgh Penguins wanted this one, but the Philadelphia Flyers needed it. And they played with the desperation you’d expect from a team that needs to make every game count.
The Flyers took control of the contest with two goals in the second and then really pulled away with two more in the third, beating the Penguins for the first time this season by a score of 4-0.
Speaking of firsts, Steve Mason managed his first shutout of 2016-17, stopping 23 shots.
It was a low-event game, likely playing into the Flyers’ hands considering the offensive firepower on display from the Pens. Sean Couturier had a big night, including the game-winner, while Wayne Simmonds’ power-play goal really put it away (giving him 200 in his increasingly impressive career).
The Flyers still have some serious work to do to push their way into the East playoffs, but they showed a will to battle it out on Wednesday. And, hey, if nothing else ... they spited their hated cross-state rivals with this regulation win.