Simmonds stars as Flyers down Predators, 4-1

The stunning blockbuster trade that sent captain Mike Richards to Los Angeles last June looks better with each game.

Wayne Simmonds, the rugged forward who was part of the deal, scored a pair of goals Thursday to carry the Flyers to a 4-1 win over Nashville at the Wells Fargo Center.

Simmonds has 15 goals - one more than he scored all of last season with the Kings.

"I think the change of scenery helped me out a little bit," said Simmonds, who totaled four points in the two games against Nashville this season. "I've just been trying to work hard around the net and pick up little things."

He credited teammate Scott Hartnell for helping with his improvement.

"I watch Hartsy a lot, and a lot of guys I played with in the past, and just try to learn."

With 32 games remaining, Simmonds is one goal shy of his career high in goals. The right winger was acquired with Brayden Schenn and a No. 2 draft pick in 2012 for Richards, who has one fewer goal and two fewer assists this season than Simmonds.

"His confidence seems to be growing," coach Peter Laviolette said after a win against a Nashville team that had won 10 of its last 11 games. "Right now, he's a very difficult person to get the puck from. He hangs onto the puck and is able to make plays."

Said Simmonds: "Everything about Philly I love. I'm happy I'm in a good spot right now. We push forward more in Philly, where in L.A. we kind of sat back in the trap. I think this style of game suits me better. We have the players to do it."

Schenn, slowed by injuries for most of the season, has started to get into a rhythm. He has points in three straight games. In addition, he led the Flyers with five hits on Thursday.

Simmonds, who had a career-high 10 shots, made it 3-1 by scoring on a rebound while the Flyers were on a power play with 4 minutes, 41 seconds left. Claude Giroux, thanks to an unselfish Jaromir Jagr pass, added an empty-net goal with 1:05 to go, ending his 12-game goal-less streak.

Nashville had climbed to within 2-1 when Ryan Suter knocked in Craig Smith's crossing pass with 11:23 left.

Shortly after squandering a five-on-three power play that lasted 1:34, the Flyers took a two-goal lead.

Winger Matt Read, who could become the Flyers' first Calder Trophy winner (best rookie) in franchise history, poked the puck away from defenseman Kevin Klein at his own blue line, sped down the left side and beat goalie Anders Lindback with a wrister from the left circle. It was Read's 16th goal, tops among NHL rookies, and it gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead with 5:28 left in the second period.

Lindback was the starter as standout Pekka Rinne was given a rare rest.

"I saw he was out of the crease and I just tried to surprise him and go five-hole," Read said.

Earlier, the Flyers benefitted from a new line: Schenn centering Simmonds and Zac Rinaldo. After taking a feed from Schenn, Simmonds scored on a turnaround shot from the right circle to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead with 4:19 left in the opening period.

"Reno [Rinaldo] had the goalie screened, so I just turned and tried to fire the puck and hoped it would go in," Simmonds said. "The goalie didn't see a thing. Reno did a great job."

The Flyers are trying to build some momentum at home, where they have struggled for most of the season. Laviolette has wanted them to play with more physicality, and they outhit the Predators, 30-19.