Flyers 3, Jets 2 (OT)
PHILADELPHIA -- Claude Giroux was lucky to even be playing in Monday night's game against the Winnipeg Jets at the Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers' captain took an ugly hit Saturday night in a loss to Arizona but was fit enough to play.
And good thing for Philadelphia he did.
With time winding down in overtime -- just 13.6 seconds until a shootout to be exact -- Giroux beat Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec to give the Flyers a much-needed, 3-2 win over the Jets.
In transition, Flyers rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere streaked up the right wing and tried to feed Giroux on a two-on-one. The pass was broken up, but Gostisbehere stuck with it and was able to corral the puck before feeding Giroux, who was alone in front.
The Flyers (37-25-13) entered the game tied with Detroit for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They had a 2-0 lead early in the second period that was erased early in the third period, when Blake Wheeler's backhand beat Flyers goalie Steve Mason to even the score at two apiece.
The Flyers took the game's first seven shots on net and had a few scoring chances in the first period -- none better than Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's shot that was snared by Pavelec's glove -- but the period went scoreless.
Philadelphia picked up where it left off after the intermission, controlling the play early in the second period. Defenseman Mark Streit snuck down from the blue line into the slot and was fed a pass from center Sean Couturier. Streit one-timed the puck past Pavelec for a 1-0 lead 41 seconds into the second period.
A little over four minutes later, with the Flyers still buzzing around the Winnipeg net, a broken play sent the puck out to the blue line after winger Brayden Schenn failed to finish an opportunity in front of Pavelec. Wayne Simmonds was waiting and fired a wrist shot that deflected on its way to the Jets' net and past Pavelec.
Winnipeg at 6:28 of the middle period. Scheifele intercepted a Jakub Voracek pass in his defensive zone, skated freely in on Mason and beat the goalie to cut the deficit to 2-1.
NOTES: Flyers G Steve Mason made his sixth consecutive start, tying his longest stretch of the season. With Michal Neuvirth out, Mason, who has a 5-0-1 record against the Jets, likely will carry the load the rest of the way. ... Winnipeg D Dustin Byfuglien was the team's nominee for the year's Masterson Trophy. Chosen by each professional hockey writers association's chapter, the Masterson is awarded every season to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. D Shayne Gostisbehere was nominated to be the Flyers' representative. ... Jets C Mark Scheifele tallied an assist in Saturday's loss to Buffalo, giving him a career-high 50 points on the season. ... The Flyers started a three-game homestand that continues Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. ... The Jets play host to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.