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Flyers win shootout but fail to gain ground

The Flyers used a late rally Tuesday night to win a game at the Wells Fargo Center, but they took a step backward.

Brayden Schenn (center) is contragulated by Jakub Voracek after a goal.
Brayden Schenn (center) is contragulated by Jakub Voracek after a goal.Read more(Charles Fox/Staff Photographer)

The Flyers used a late rally Tuesday night to win a game at the Wells Fargo Center, but they took a step backward.

Jordan Weal knocked in a late goal in regulation and was the only player to score in the shootout as the Flyers defeated the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, for their third victory in the last four games.

"We're competing hard; we're not going to quit till the end," winger Travis Konecny said.

The satisfaction, however, was tempered by Boston's 4-1 victory over Nashville. The Flyers remained six points behind the Bruins, who began the night in the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot.

Steve Mason stopped Tom Pyatt to end the shootout and give the Flyers a two-game winning streak for the first time since Feb. 28 and March 2.

Weal tied the score at 2 with 5 minutes, 59 seconds left, taking advantage of goalie Craig Anderson's giveaway to score his fifth goal in the last 11 games.

Anderson went behind the net and his clearing pass was intercepted by Weal, who put the puck into an empty cage.

The Senators challenged that Wayne Simmonds interfered with Anderson as he tried to scramble back to the net. After a review, the goal stood.

"I think it was a good forecheck; we limited his options," Weal said. "We took the walls away and he couldn't make a play."

Weal "kind of reminds me of Marty St. Louis," Mason said. "Solid on the puck, fast, it's move-move-move. Good hands. Tenacious on the puck. He's been impressive."

Just 11/2 minutes before Weal's goal, Kyle Turris scored on a one-timer from the high slot with 7:25 left, giving Ottawa a 2-1 lead.

The Flyers had the better chances in the overtime but were unable to beat Anderson. They finished with a 35-28 shots edge in the game.

The Flyers have just six games left.

"We're in a position where we know what we have to do, and we can't focus on what other teams are doing," Mason said before the game. "Go out there and play the game of hockey and have fun and put forth a good effort. The guys still have to understand we're still in this and we have to play with a lot of pride and a lot of effort and see what happens."

Anderson was prone on the ice but somehow stopped Konecny from the doorstep with 16:21 remaining in the third period. Anderson made the stop with his left leg, keeping the score tied at 1.

"I don't know how he stopped it," Konecny said.

The Flyers' power play was in a 3-for-46 funk before Brayden Schenn scored while the Flyers had a man advantage with 1:26 left in the first, knotting the score at 1.

Standing in the left circle, Schenn deflected a one-time point drive by Shayne Gostsibehere. It was his 16th power-play goal, second in the NHL.

"It was a good power play and we were bearing down and we're focused on getting more pucks to the net," Gostisbehere said.

Gostisbehere, who had abdominal and hip surgery in the offseason, has been getting off more shots recently, and seems to have regained the jump that made him such a dynamic player last season.

"I'm just bearing down," he said. "That's the biggest thing for me. I just have to stop thinking about it and let it fly."

Ottawa had taken a 1-0 lead about two minutes earlier as defenseman Erik Karlsson converted on a five-on-three power play. Karlsson fired a point drive past a screened Mason.

Anderson is believed to be the favorite to win the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is given to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Anderson's wife, Nicholle, has a rare form of throat cancer that was diagnosed in October. The goalie took a leave of absence for two months to be with his wife while she underwent treatment, and he has had an outstanding season.

But his blunder late in the game gave the Flyers a chance - and they capitalized, raising their shootout record to 7-4.

scarchidi@phillynews.com

@BroadStBull