Sports

Raffl, Schenn Help Lift Flyers To 4-2 Win Over Red Wings

October 25, 2014 / 10:10 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Defense and opportune scoring helped the Philadelphia Flyers extend their home dominance of the Detroit Red Wings.

Michael Raffl scored two goals, and Brayden Schenn netted the winner during a power play with 8:55 remaining to lift the Flyers to a 4-2 victory over Detroit on Saturday night.

Nicklas Grossmann also scored for Philadelphia, which won its ninth straight home game over Detroit and avoided its worst home start despite being outshot 37-17. The Flyers, who dropped their first three home games this season, haven't lost in Philadelphia to the Red Wings since June 3, 1997.

"We didn't play a very good game, but two points is two points," Flyers coach Craig Berube said.

Jakub Voracek had a pair of assists for Philadelphia.

Pavel Datsyuk and Riley Sheahan scored for Detroit.

"I thought we played a great game and did lots of really good things, tons of good stuff," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "You play like that, and most nights you're going to win. We did lots of good things and weren't rewarded. It goes like that sometimes."

Schenn took Voracek's pass from the right boards and redirected it from the slot off goalie Jonas Gustavsson's blocker and into the net. Detroit hadn't allowed a power play goal in 24 chances this season.

"You just grind them out on the power play. They got a little bit tired," Schenn said. "Just put my stick on the ice for a high tip, and Jake hit it. Definitely take those goals."

The Flyers had taken a 2-1 lead six minutes into the third when Raffl beat Gustavsson on the glove side after Voracek found him open in front of the net.

Datsyuk tied it 42 seconds later when the Flyers couldn't clear the zone. Darren Helm found Datsyuk wide open in front of goalie Ray Emery.

Raffl added an empty-net goal with 31 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.

Berube was pleased with the Flyers' effort in the final period.

"We realized if we go play a period, we might win a hockey game," he said. "There was a lot more life and energy."

Emery, Philadelphia's backup making his second straight start, recorded 33 saves to improve to 3-0-1.

Philadelphia also blocked 31 shots.

"We made a commitment in our own end to play defense and win the hockey game," Berube said before lamenting the offensive performance. "Puck possession and offense, we weren't very good at all. Just too much in our own end."

Gustavsson, making his second start in place of Jimmy Howard, had 15 saves but fell to 1-1.

"We played good enough to win, and we didn't get the bounces," he said. "That's how it is sometimes. You have to deal with it and move on."

The Red Wings finished 0-for-3 on the power play, dropping them to 2-for-30 on the season.

"It's not very good," Babcock said. "We have to fix it."

The Red Wings jumped in front 1-0 with 4:27 left in the first period when Sheahan beat Emery top shelf on the stick side.

Philadelphia tied it with 1:39 left in the second on Grossman's one-timer from close range that beat a lunging Gustavsson. It was a rare chance for the Flyers, who had been greatly outplayed to that point. Grossman's tally was just Philadelphia's eighth shot compared to 24 for Detroit.

NOTES: With defensemen Braydon Coburn (lower body) and Andrew MacDonald (lower body) sidelined for four weeks, rookie D Shayne Gostisbehere made his NHL debut for the Flyers. ... Zac Rinaldo (lower body) also was scratched for the Flyers. ... Johan Franzen (thigh) missed his fourth straight game for Detroit. ... Philadelphia has outscored Detroit 37-15 during its home winning streak. ... Detroit will have another chance to end the losing streak on March 14 when they return to Philadelphia. It is the first time since the 1992-93 season the Red Wings will play two regular-season games in Philadelphia.

Check Out These Sports Stories: