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Flyers snap losing streak with shocking win over Golden Knights

Larry Henry Jr|

The Philadelphia Flyers needed a win at all costs on Friday night at the home of one of the NHL’s best Western Conference teams. Thanks to some clutch goaltending and a pair of power-play goals from one of the league’s worst units, the team got it done to stop the bleeding of their lengthy losing run.

Carter Hart saved the day with 41 saves while Mike Yeo’s squad used a pair of third period goals to pull away in a 4-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, snapping a 10-game losing streak for the Flyers. It was the Orange and Black’s third road win in Vegas in their past four visits to T-Mobile Arena.

“When you’re going through something that we’re going through, the hardest thing is to deal with the emotion,” Yeo, the Flyers interim head coach said. “We knew it wasn’t gonna be perfect, especially against a team like that, a team of that caliber, but our guys competed so hard tonight, starting with Hart. Every guy showed the kind of battle, that level that we need night after night.”

Kevin Hayes and William Karlsson traded goals in the first period as the teams went into the first intermission tied 1-1. Hayes scored his second goal of the season only 4:20 into the game, sending a backhand shot past Laurent Brossoit to give the Flyers a shock lead.

Peter DeBoer’s side answered back with only 0:49 left in the first period as Karlsson’s wrist shot beat Hart for only his second goal of the campaign.

The Flyers swung momentum back in their side in the second period as Max Willman’s first goal for the club made it 2-1. Zack MacEwen and Patrick Brown connected before setting up Willman, whose snap shot put Vegas back down at home.

“That was a really cool feeling,” Willman said. “Definitely something I’ll remember for a long time…It’s nice to get rewarded with that and contribute in the win.”

However, Vegas rolled right back in the final minutes of the period, using Max Pacioretty’s eighth goal of the season to draw level at 2-2.  Alex Pietrangelo and Mark Stone were credited with the assists as the Golden Knights thought they garnered momentum to swing the game in their favor.

The Flyers have been atrocious on the power-play this campaign, but used that to their strength in the third period. Sean Couturier’s sixth goal of the campaign with 16:06 left to play propelled the Flyers in front 3-2 after the veteran center blasted a slap shot past Brossoit .

James van Riemsdyk delivered the final dagger in Vegas’ comeback chances as the forward’s wrist shot on the man advantage made it 4-2 with just over ten minutes to play. Keith Yandle registered his second assist of the period on JVR’s finish, extending his career power play points to 288.

“Special teams obviously was a huge factor in the game,” Yeo said. “With the PK, obviously, when your goalie is playing the way Hart was playing tonight, it allows you to play a little bit more aggressive in certain situations but also have a sense of composure and calmness. … Two power-play goals tonight, massive for us.”

Pacioretty cut the deficit to 4-3 with 1:45 to play, but the Flyers would hang on claim an important two points on the road. The Flyers also went 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, to go along with their two power-play goals.

Claude Giroux made Flyers history on Friday, passing Bobby Clarke for the all-time lead in power-play points with 334.

The Flyers close out a three-game road trip on Saturday by visiting the Arizona Coyotes at 9 p.m. E.T.

You can follow Larry Henry on Twitter (@lhenry019) and e-mail him at [email protected].

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