PHILADELPHIA – Sean Couturier scored the first of his two goals early in the first period to give the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 lead.
The problem for the Flyers was the Anaheim Ducks recovered quickly and scored five straight goals in response en route to a 6-2 win Tuesday night.
Goalie John Gibson (#36) and Defenseman Francois Beauchemin (#23) of the Anaheim Ducks. Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers
Couturier book-ended those goals with his second but it was too little, too late.
Ryan Getzlafscored in his return to the Ducks lineup after a three-game absence.
“Overall it was pretty good,” Getzlaf said. “I felt good getting my wind back. The passing and those sort of things will come. … I felt good out there. That was our focus before I got back this time. Last time we rushed it back, obviously I ended up back on [injured reserve]. This time we wanted to make sure we did the work and we were ready to go.”
Getzlaf’s return was a welcome relief to this team.
“He’s our captain and he’s our best overall player,” defenseman Kevin Bieksa said. “You take [Sidney] Crosby away from Pittsburgh, what happens? It’s a different team. When he’s back and he’s playing well, we’re a really good team.”
Ondrej Kase struck twice for goals while Brandon Montour, Nick Ritchie and Rickard Rakell added single markers in the win.
“They have a good forecheck, guys that can skate, big bodies,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said. “We just couldn’t feel the puck tonight.”
John Gibson made 31 saves. to pick up the win.
Anaheim’s Hampus Lindholm returned to the lineup for the first time this season after surgery in the summer.
“They’re our captain and then a minute-chewer on the back end,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said of Getzlaf and Lindholm. “… We’ve been banged down and beaten up pretty good with injuries. Anytime you can welcome veterans back and they come in, it does energize your group and give you confidence.”
[WATCH: All Ducks vs. Flyers highlights]
Brian Elliott took the loss on 19 saves.
“This one stings a bit and humbles you a bit. It’s our first bad loss as a team this season so I think it’s going to show a lot about our team how we respond.” Philadelphia’s Shayne Gostisbehere said after the loss.
Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers. Goalie John Gibson (#36) and Defenseman Hampus Lindholm (#47) of the Anaheim Ducks.
Left Wing Nick Ritchie (#37) of the Anaheim Ducks scores on Goalie Brian Elliot (#37) of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Defenseman Kevin Bieksa (#3) of the Anaheim Ducks and Defenseman Radko Gudas (#3) of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Center Chris Wagner (#21) of the Anaheim Ducks grabbed by Defenseman Robert Haag (#8) of the Philadelphia Flyers after he ran into Goalie Brian Elliot (#37) of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Goalie Brian Elliot (#37) and Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (#53) of the Philadelphia Flyers combine to stop Center Ryan Getzlaf (#15) of the Anaheim Ducks from scoring.
Goalie John Gibson (#36) of the Anaheim Ducks and Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers.
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