Simmonds, Flyers' 2d line shines (again)

OTTAWA, Ontario - The Flyers' much-maligned second line had its second straight dominating performance, keying Tuesday's 4-2 win in Ottawa.

The line - Sean Couturier centering Matt Read and Wayne Simmonds - combined for two goals, five points, a plus-8 rating, and 12 shots.

Couturier (three points, empty-net goal) had his first multi-point game of the season, and Simmonds added a goal and an assist. Simmonds' goal with 3:25 left in the second period snapped a 2-2 tie and gave the Flyers the lead for good.

The Flyers took control in the second period, outshooting the Senators, 18-5, and outscoring them, 2-1, en route to their third straight win.

"We really turned it around and swung the momentum our way," said Simmonds, who has five points and two-game winning goals over the last two contests. "We just stuck with it, kept getting pucks behind their D and getting pucks to their net, and we kept crashing."

In Saturday's 3-0 win over the Rangers, Simmonds had two goals and an assist, and Couturier had his first goal in 13 games.

Simmonds "has been a guy who's really been setting the bar for us the last few games," coach Dave Hakstol said.

Gudas suspension? Defenseman Radko Gudas, whose physicality has contributed mightily to the Flyers' turnaround, will probably have a league hearing for his third-period hit on Mika Zibanejad. Gudas appeared to hit him in the head with his elbow or forearm, sending the forward to the locker room for medical attention.

Gudas had five hits and two blocked shots in 24:38.

Medvedev's first. Defenseman Evgeny Medvedev scored his first NHL goal Tuesday (see story).  Per the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the oldest player (33 years, 92 days) to score his first NHL goal since 2003, when John Gruden of Washington did it at the age of 33 years, 128 days.

Breakaways. Michael Del Zotto blocked five shots and fired five shots on goal  while playing 26:55 ... Steve Mason made 12 saves, including a handful of difficult ones, while the Flyers were nursing a 3-2 third-period lead ... Shayne Gostisbehere scored his fourth goal in his nine games and his first at even-strength ... Brayden Schenn had five hits and an assist ... The Flyers were 2 for 2 on the penalty kill, running their streak to 21 in a row ... Read tied a career high with six shots on goal ...The Flyers play Friday in New Jersey.