Detroit Red Wings show some offensive spark in 6-3 road win over Philadelphia Flyers
The Detroit Red Wings had jump — and a bit of rust — as they returned to action after a weeklong break.
After trading scoring chances early with the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Center, the Wings outplayed them to earn a 6-3 victory.
It's only the second time in their past 16 tries that the Wings have won in Philadelphia, with their last victory there dating to a shootout on Nov. 8, 2016. The Wings' last regulation victory in Philly came on June 3, 1997, in the second game of the Stanley Cup Finals.
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM: Filip Zadina promoted to Wings' top line, but it's not why you may think
CARLOS MONARREZ: Here's where Wings must improve to grab a playoff spot this season
DRAFT RECAP: How Wings have fared in the first round since hitting on Dylan Larkin
The Wings (21-21-6) used balanced production to offset a few defensive lapses in their first game since the All-Star break. They had the lead multiple times and never trailed.
Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond each had a goal and an assist in a first period, but the Wings weren't as deft clearing the puck out of their zone — the Flyers were able to tie the game both times inside of a minute. Pius Suter and Robby Fabbri each had a goal and an assist in the second period. Moritz Seider had a hand in Larkin's and Fabbri's goals, giving Seider a rookie-leading 27 assists.
The Wings got production from the fourth line in the third period, with Joe Veleno carrying the puck up ice and feeding Givani Smith to provide a two-goal lead. Vladislav Namestnikov got the third line involved in the scoring when he contributed an empty-net goal in the last minute.
The teams meet again noon Saturday at Little Caesars Arena.
Larkin edges closer to 30
The Wings grabbed a lead 2:43 into the game when they converted on a power play. Larkin fired a shot that deflected in off a defender’s skate. That gave Larkin 24 goals in 43 games and extended his point streak to four games. It was a good way to start the game — but the momentum only lasted 20 seconds, as Isaac Ratcliffe scored at 3:03. The Wings challenged goaltender interference but video review showed it was Wings defenseman Filip Hronek that caused Ratcliffe to interfere with goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.
[ How to order Free Press book commemorating Red Wings' 1997 Stanley Cup ]
Raymond adds to lead
The Wings grabbed the lead again at 6:02 thanks to some slick net-front work by Raymond. Raymond fired a shot on net, and, when that was blocked, collected his own rebound, scooped the puck to his backhand, and beat Philly goalie Carter Hart. With an assist on Larkin’s goal, Raymond added to his lead in points among rookies, with 37 . It was a nice goal but again the momentum was short-lived, as Travis Sanheim was open in the slot to make it 2-2 just 24 seconds later.
Second line delivers
The second line came through with a lead in the second period. Fabbri sent the puck to Suter, who leaned into his shot from the slot and used Marc Staal as a screen to make it 3-2. It was Suter’s first point in five games. He returned the favor and set up Fabbri midway through the second period, feeding Fabbri as he drove to the net. The 4-2 lead lasted 21 seconds, until Scott Laughton caught a loose puck and beat Nedeljkovic with a shot from just outside the goal post.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her book, The Big 50: The Detroit Red Wings is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings show offense in 6-3 win over Philadelphia Flyers
