Connolly's OT Goal Lifts Lightning Over Flyers 2-1
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Brett Connolly scored 2:30 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Connolly won it after Dominic Moore skated into the Flyers' zone and got the puck past a Philadelphia defender into the low slot, from where Connolly beat goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.
Marc-Andre Bergeron netted the tying goal in the third period for the Lightning, who have won seven of nine.
Scott Hartnell had the lone goal for the Flyers. Philadelphia routed Columbus 9-2 on Saturday but was shut down by Tampa Bay, which outshot the Flyers 24-15.
Philadelphia defenseman Chris Pronger returned after missing six games because of a right eye injury. He had been out since being struck just outside the eye by a stick blade during a game against Toronto on Oct. 24.
Hartnell put the Flyers ahead 1-0 with a power-play goal against goalie Dwayne Roloson at 9:34 of the second.
Bergeron tied it with a shot from the high slot at 7:41 of the third. Steven Stamkos assisted on the goal, giving him six points during a three-game point streak.
Twice in the opening five minutes of the game Philadelphia held the puck in its zone, attempting to force the Lightning to abandon their 1-3-1 defense. After about 30 seconds of stagnant play both times, the officials stopped the game to have a faceoff.
The Flyers employed the tactic, which Washington used against Tampa Bay last season, seven times during the scoreless first period.
A steal by the Lightning during Philadelphia's delay strategy midway through the second turned a chorus of boos into a loud cheer.
Tampa Bay failed to capitalize on two late second-period power plays, set up by slashing and high-sticking penalties against Pronger.
Philadelphia's Jaromir Jagr had his seven-game point streak snapped, a run that included six goals and 11 points.
NOTES: Tampa Bay LW Ryan Malone and D Victor Hedman didn't play because of undisclosed upper body injuries. ... Philadelphia D Erik Gustafsson missed the game with an undisclosed injury. ... The Flyers announced that D Braydon Coburn has agreed to terms on a multiyear contract extension. ... Philadelphia RW Matt Reed returned after missing three games with an undisclosed injury. ... Jagr played in his 1,288th NHL game, one fewer than Mathieu Schneider for 54th place on the NHL career list.
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