National Hockey League
Philadelphia 1, Florida 0
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2015
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Referees: Kyle Rehman, Brad Watson
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Jonny Murray
Attendance: 19769

PHILADELPHIA -- If their home opener, featuring 19,769 rally-towel-waving fans, wasn't enough motivation, the Philadelphia Flyers knew just where to get an extra kick.

Just look back two days ago.

After being bullied by the Florida Panthers in an embarrassing 7-1 loss on Saturday, the Flyers faced that same team Monday night, but this time came away with a 1-0 win on their home ice at a raucous Wells Fargo Center.

"It was everything that we thought it would be," Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said of the environment. "Something our group can feed off of. We went out and had a good first shift right off the introduction and the energy was there through the final buzzer."

With the energy buzzing, a heated game unfolded -- featuring two scrums and 30 penalty minutes -- and lights-out goaltending.

In the end, a first-period goal by center Brayden Schenn was the difference, helping Philadelphia (1-1-1) notch win No. 1 and the first for Hakstol in his NHL debut season.

Meanwhile, following its seven-goal eruption Saturday, Florida (1-1-0) went quietly Monday, missing out on what would have been its first 2-0-0 start since 2005-06.

From seven goals to none, what was the difference?

"I expected (the Flyers) to play a lot better, they're not going to lose 7-1 in their home opener, you knew they were going to come out," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "I wasn't worried about them playing their game, I just don't think we played our game hard enough."

Florida was blanked on the power play, going 0-for-6, en route to being shut out by Flyers backup goalie Michal Neuvirth (1-0-0). Replacing starting goalie Steve Mason, who was out of the lineup because of a family matter, Neuvirth stymied the Panthers by making 31 saves for his eighth career shutout. The 27-year-old drew rousing applause with a pair of back-to-back saves late in the third to secure the win.

"I was just playing the game like it was 0-0," Neuvirth said. "It wasn't just my shutout, it was the whole team. Definitely helped me that first kill. I got into it. I feel the more I play, the better I play."

Philadelphia ignited early momentum by killing a four-minute power play on a high-sticking penalty committed by left winger Michael Raffl just 1:17 into the game.

Moments after the Flyers quelled Florida's man advantage, Philadelphia pounced when Schenn backhanded a pass in front past Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1-1-0) for the game's first and only goal. First-year Flyers center Sam Gagner and defenseman Evgeny Medvedev assisted the score, as Medvedev found Schenn with a quick look off a rebound.

Luongo, owner of 402 career wins, was a tough-luck loser, making 32 saves.

"Sometimes when you score seven goals in a game, you think things will be a little easier the next game," Luongo said. "We can't fall in that trap and I think we did a little bit of that tonight."

Last time out, Florida ambushed Philadelphia with four goals in a 6:46 span of the first, marking the second-fastest four goals ever allowed by Philadelphia. The quickest came in 1969.

But on Monday, the Flyers' penalty kill, among the worst in the NHL last season at 27th, silenced the Panthers.

Neuvirth was a big reason.

"He played great, he made some big saves," Gallant said. "The first two periods, we were one and out.

"When you don't play well, you don't get the lucky breaks. The other night, we played well and got a lot of good goals."

Philadelphia survived four penalties amassing 12 minutes in a testy first period that culminated in a last-minute scrum behind the Panthers' net. Two Panthers -- left winger Connor Brickley and defenseman Alex Petrovic -- were charged with roughing, as was Flyers right winger Wayne Simmonds.

But the Flyers' first penalty kill got it all started.

"There's different ways to swing momentum, and penalty kill is one of them," Hakstol said. "It's one win, it pushes us in the right direction and then it's back to work tomorrow."

NOTES: Flyers G Steve Mason did not start as he was out of the lineup because of a family matter. The Flyers do not believe Mason's absence will be long term, but are unsure if he will be available Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Backup G Michal Neuvirth started in his place. ... Prior to the game, Philadelphia called up G Jason LaBarbera from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley to back up Neuvirth. ... Panthers C Rocco Grimaldi was assigned to AHL affiliate Portland on Monday. The 22-year-old played seven games last season and scored a goal. Florida drafted Grimaldi in the second round of the 2011 draft. He battled an ankle injury to start the season. ... Flyers C Sam Gagner and D Radko Gudas made their team debuts in place of C R.J. Umberger and D Luke Schenn. Umberger is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, while Schenn was a healthy scratch as was C Vincent Lecavalier. ... Panthers D Steven Kampfer, C Quinton Howden and D Dylan Olsen were all healthy scratches. None of the three has appeared in a game this season.
Top Game Performances
 
Florida   Philadelphia
N/A Points Brayden Schenn 1
N/A Goals Brayden Schenn 1
N/A Assists Sean Couturier 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Roberto Luongo .970 Save Percentage Michal Neuvirth 1.000
Roberto Luongo 32 Saves Michal Neuvirth 31
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Florida 31 0 0-6 3-3 12 28
Philadelphia 33 1 0-3 6-6 18 28
Upcoming Games
  • Philadelphia will play their next game at home against Chicago. The Flyers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • Florida will play their next game on the road against Carolina. The Panthers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.