It's been quite a while since a member of the Flyers had a trick. They almost had one in Wayne Simmonds. At least, he seemed to have it briefly in the first period.
It didn't happen, but the Flyers did go on to rout the hapless Colorado Avalanche, 4-0, on Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
It was the first time since Jan. 12 the Flyers scored more than three goals. Simmonds finished with two goals.
Steve Mason, who sat the previous six games as Michal Neuvirth's backup, picked up his first win since Jan. 25 and also stopped a penalty shot.
A first
Jordan Weal's first NHL goal (and point) came at 7:16 of the second period on a redirect of Radko Gudas' point shot. Colorado challenged for offsides and lost.
Notable goals
Simmonds scored a shorthanded goal early in the first period for a 1-0 lead. He has two of the Flyers' three shorties this season.
Goalie report
Mason made his first start in seven games. He denied Mikko Rantanen on a second-period penalty shot, knocking the puck away into the corner. His last win was a 2-0 shutout of the Rangers in New York. He had two wins in his last 12 games coming into play.
Power play
Simmonds tipped a point drive from Shayne Gostisbehere to make it 2-0 in the first period and for a few seconds appeared to have a natural hat trick on the PP before his goal was awarded to Jakub Voracek that made it 3-0. Right as the marker was scored, hats came raining down from the stands onto the ice but replays then showed Simmonds never got a piece of Voracek's shot.
The Flyers were 2 for 3 on the man advantage.
Penalty kill
It was a strong game for the Flyers against the 29th-ranked power play in the NHL as the Avs went 0 for 4.
Milestone
Nick Cousins played his 100th game as a Flyer.
Fights
Sean Couturier decisioned Gabriel Landeskog in the first period (see video).
Injuries
Michael Raffl suffered a lower-body injury late in the second period and did not return. An update on his status will be provided Wednesday.
Scratches
Defenseman Brandon Manning (suspended) and Nick Schultz (healthy), and forward Roman Lyubimov (healthy).
Up next
The Flyers practice Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Skate Zone. They host the Florida Panthers on Thursday.