Instant Replay: Flyers 6, Sabres 3

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BOX SCORE

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Flyers picked up two crucial points in the standings and earned a point for the fourth straight game with a 6-3 victory over the Sabres on Tuesday night.

Winning in regulation for just the fourth time in their last 18 road games, the Flyers got off to a flying start on this critical stretch of their road trip and kept pace in a close race for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

The Flyers took control of the game in the second period, netting three goals on eight shots. They scored six even-strength goals for the first time this season.

Captain Claude Giroux scored for the first time in 13 games. Radko Gudas had a goal and two assists, Jordan Weal and rookie Travis Konecny each had a goal and an assist. Matt Read and Chris VandeVelde also scored and Sean Couturier and Michael Del Zotto tallied two assists apiece.

Notable goals
Giroux broke his scoring drought with 1:58 remaining in the second period when he knocked in the rebound of Del Zotto's shot from the point. The Sabres challenged that Wayne Simmonds interfered with goaltender Robin Lehner on the play, but the goal was upheld on replay.

A fortunate bounce led to the Flyers' go-ahead goal. Jakub Voracek's shot from the point hit Weal's left skate and ricocheted into the net with 6:12 left in the second period. Officials determined Weal did not intentionally kick the puck, and Buffalo did not challenge the ruling.

Konecny assisted on VandeVelde's goal and scored his eighth of the season on consecutive shifts early in the third period.  

Gudas buried the Flyers' first shot of the second period. Read got his second goal in his last 39 games when he deflected Gudas' shot from the point 4:34 into the game.

Goalie report
With so much scoring, the Flyers didn't need too much from Steve Mason. He stopped 30 of 33 shots and allowed two power-play goals in his fourth straight start.

Power play
The Flyers continued their struggles to convert with the man advantage, going scoreless on three chances in the first 21 minutes. They are now 0 for 13 on the power play in the past three games. Buffalo entered the game ranked 29th in the NHL in penalty killing.

Penalty kill
The Sabres' power play was much sharper, needing only 18 seconds to generate a pair of tying goals. Evander Kane scored 15 seconds after Brayden Schenn went to the box for hooking in the first period. Jack Eichel scored off the faceoff following Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's interference penalty 7:11 into the second.

The Flyers successfully killed their next two penalties. The Sabres, who entered the night tied for the NHL lead in power-play success at 22.9 percent, have gone 5 for 10 on the power play against the Flyers this season.

Scratches
Defenseman Nick Schultz (healthy) and forwards Michael Raffl (left knee), Dale Weise (healthy) and Roman Lyubimov (healthy).

Up next
The Flyers continue their road trip Thursday in Toronto.

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