BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) Daniel Carcillo and the rest of
Philadelphia's third- and fourth-line players put up some big
numbers against stingy Buffalo.
Carcillo scored twice and Ray Emery made 28 saves to lead the
Flyers to their fifth straight victory over the Sabres, 5-2 on
Friday night.
Known more for their top two trios that include stars like Jeff
Carter, Mike Richards and Scott Hartnell, the Flyers got three
goals and three assists from their pluggers to improve to 8-4-1
with their third straight win.
''I think we can all play, and play against any line of the
league,'' Carcillo said about his comrades on the bottom rung of
the Philadelphia line ladder. ''Fourth line, third line ... it's
just a name I guess.''
Carcillo linemate Ian Laperriere had a pair of assists, center
Blair Betts had a helper, and fourth line pivot Darroll Powe scored
a third-period goal.
''Some nights the puck follows you, hits you, and it goes in,''
Laperriere said. ''It's fun to play with guys like Betts and
Carcillo. They work hard, and they go to the net.''
The end result was an impressive win over a Buffalo team that
came in as the NHL's stingiest defensive unit.
''We knew they have had success both offensively and
defensively, so we talked about getting bodies in front of (Ryan)
Miller and we did that,'' said Emery, who improved to 5-1-0 in his
last six starts. ''We got a lead early, chipped in some late goals,
and played well defensively.''
Chris Pronger had a goal and assist, and James van Riemsdyk also
scored, for the Flyers, who've outscored their opponents by a 17-5
margin during their three-game winning stretch.
''They were the better team,'' Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said.
''You can't find any argument against that. I'm not going to mask
it, it wasn't a good night for us. We didn't help ourselves a
lot.''
Derek Roy had a power-play goal and assist, rookie Tyler Myers
also scored with the man advantage for Buffalo, and Ryan Miller
made 32 saves. The Sabres (9-3-1) have lost two of their last three
after an 8-1-1 start.
''We can be better,'' Buffalo forward Mike Grier said. ''We have
a good record and the league is going to watch how we do in these
games. We have to show that we're willing not to back down.''
Carcillo opened the scoring with 1:21 left in the first period,
deflecting defenseman Braydon Coburn's shot from the top of the
left circle. It was Carcillo's first goal in 47 games, and first
regular season tally for Philadelphia.
Pronger made it 2-0 with his third just 28 seconds into the
second period.
Roy cut the lead in half 4 minutes later, but van Riemsdyk gave
the Flyers a 3-1 edge with 5:05 left in the middle frame when his
cross-ice pass from below the right circle went off Miller's right
leg and into the net.
Powe added his fourth with a slap shot that handcuffed Miller
from the top of the left circle 2:34 into the third period, and
Myers made it 4-2 exactly 8 minutes later.
Carcillo capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with 48
seconds remaining to record his first multi-goal game since the
2007-08 season finale against Anaheim.
''We did a good job of being physical and getting in their
face,'' Carcillo said. ''We want to get on a roll and gain some
points and momentum.''
NOTES: Former Sabres co-captain Danny Briere missed his third
game for the Flyers because of a groin strain. ... Sabres C Tim
Connolly played in his 499th career NHL game. He earned his 300th
career NHL point with an assist on Roy's goal. ... Carcillo's last
goal was Jan. 18 at Edmonton when he was with Phoenix. ...
Philadelphia snapped a two-game road losing streak.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)