Duchene scores in OT, Predators defeat Flyers

PHILADELPHIA -- Matt Duchene scored 34 seconds into overtime to give the Nashville Predators a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.

Duchene took a drop pass from Ryan Johansen in the high slot and scored on a shot that deflected off the right skate of Flyers defenseman Cam York and under Carter Hart's pads.
"I thought I might have had a chance to beat their guy wide and take it to the net, and he did a good job of skating back," Johansen said. "By doing that, though, it gave Matt a little time and space just to drop it to him and get a shot off, and he took over from there and got it done."

Duchene also had an assist, and Nino Niederreiter scored for the Predators (25-19-6), who have won six of eight (6-2-0). Juuse Saros made 23 saves.
"We knew coming into tonight's game that there's a certain intensity level and focus level that we need to be able to play with here coming down the stretch, and tonight was a typical example of I think how hard games are going to be," Nashville coach John Hynes said. "You have teams that are trying to prove something, you have teams that are fighting for playoff position.
"So it winds up most nights, night in and night out, being the most competitive time of the season."
Kevin Hayes scored for Philadelphia (22-22-10), which has lost five of seven (2-3-2). Hart made 23 saves.
"It was a lot of bend but don't break," Flyers coach John Tortorella said. "I thought we did a good job in the middle of the ice when we're stuck in our end zone. We were OK. ... Take the point and run and get ready for your next game."
Niederreiter gave Nashville a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the second period after getting a step on Philadelphia defenseman Travis Sanheim and redirecting Duchene's centering pass past Hart. It was his first goal since Jan. 12 (nine games).
"Definitely felt great," Niederreiter said. "Had enough chances the last several games. Definitely happy that one went in. It was a terrific pass by 'Duchy' and I didn't have to do very much more."
Hayes tied it 1-1 at 10:40 when he deked Saros out of position and tucked a backhand inside the post. The play started after Patrick Brown won a battle along the wall in the neutral zone to Joel Farabee, who chipped the puck ahead to Hayes for a breakaway.

The Flyers felt they had chances to put more goals on the board, including several odd-man rushes. They also had two breakaways, with James van Riemsdyk hitting the post with 20 seconds left in the first period and another Hayes chance going off the top of Saros' glove and over the net with 4:39 remaining in the third period.
"The part of the game where we wish were more effective, we had some odd-man rushes and we come up with nothing," Tortorella said. "We were scoring goals up to the [All-Star] break, since the break we're grinding away. ... I think when you get into a situation like this, like we were earlier in the year, you just can't give up much, and I think our guys have gone about their business that way, to make sure they defend the proper way.
"A lot of the game, we did, tonight. Hopefully we get some guys, just something bounce off them."
Predators forward Filip Forsberg did not play the final two periods after being hit by Philadelphia defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen with five seconds remaining in the first period. Forsberg was helped to Nashville's locker room after appearing to hit his head on the ice.
"It could be anything the way that he went down," Hynes said. "I have not talked to the trainers. They just let me know that he wasn't going to finish the game."
NOTES: Duchene has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past five games. ... Farabee's assist was his first point in 11 games. ... The Flyers recalled forward Olle Lycksell from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League before the game, but he did not play. Forward Kieffer Bellows was assigned to the AHL after clearing waivers.