Flyers edge Penguins
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Flyers enter the All-Star break simply perfect against Pittsburgh. Mike Knuble and Jim Vandermeer scored third-period goals to lift the Flyers to a 4-3 win over the Penguins on Thursday, their fourth win this season against their division rivals.
Evgeni Malkin scored his 27th goal for the Penguins in their first game since they learned reigning MVP Sidney Crosby will miss six to eight weeks with a high ankle sprain.
The rivalry between the teams jostling for first place in the Atlantic Division has become more combative this season as the Flyers have completely transformed their image and performance from last season when they were the worst team in the NHL.
Flyers forward Steve Downie and Penguins forward Georges Laraque each earned game misconducts. Laraque earned his for drilling Downie from behind head first into the board late in the second period. Downie, who earned a 20-game suspension in September for a dangerous hit to the head, was tossed in the third for fighting moments after Knuble put the Flyers up 4-3.
R.J. Umberger and Randy Jones scored for the Flyers.
Petr Sykora and Ryan Whitney each scored for the Penguins.
The last game between the Pens and Flyers in Philly back in December saw a flurry of fights that sent both coaches into a postgame snit. Flyers coach John Stevens complained about Pittsburgh’s rough play when the game was already out of reach and Penguins coach Michael Therrien accused the Flyers of playing with a lack of respect.
This one turned testy late in the second when Laraque plowed Downie helmet first into the board.
Downie, known for his hot temper, plopped on the ice and was on his back for a few minutes.
Laraque earned a five-minute major for checking from behind and a game misconduct. There was a skirmish in the corner while Downie was checked on and the crowd frothed for retaliation
Riley Cote tried after the faceoff with 2.6 seconds left and was whistled for a 10-minute misconduct for going after Ryan Stone.
Vandermeer took advantage of the power play early in the third and slapped home his third goal of the season from just past the blue line, stunning goalie Ty Conklin.
The Penguins came right back only 58 seconds later and tied the score when Whitney crashed the net for a short-handed goal with teammate Jordan Staal in the crease and the net sliding back. The play was reviewed and the goal stood.
The fans barely had time to finish booing when Knuble poked in the puck 34 seconds later for his 16th goal and a 4-3 lead.
As soon as the goal was scored, Downie instantly went for Stone. Downie earned five minutes for fighting and a game misconduct.
Each team scored a goal in the first two periods.
Scott Hartnell fell to his knees just outside the circle but still fed Jones rushing from the slot for the one-timer and a 2-1 lead midway through the second. The goal was Jones’ first since Dec. 1.
Sykora redirected the puck past Martin Biron minutes later for his 15th goal, evening the score at 2.
Umberger put the Flyers ahead 1-0 in the first with his ninth goal of the season, a wrist shot in front of the net.
Malkin backhanded a rebound through Biron’s legs to tie the score.
Notes: Flyers RW Sami Kapanen played in his 800th career game. … Malkin has 16 goals in his last 16 games. … Vandermeer scored his first goal since Nov. 24 against Edmonton. … Umberger had his 100th career point.
Copyright Associated Press 2008