Flyers get big two points for playoff chase

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers tried to resuscitate their playoff push on Tuesday night with the San Joe Sharks in town.

Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers earns a 2 minute minor for roughing against Givani Smith #54 of the San Jose Sharks

Owen Tippett snapped a 2-2 tie at 5:09 of the their period to help send the Flyers to a 3-2 win, and pick up a crucial two points.

“I think kind of before the game and even yesterday we knew seams were going to be open a little bit,” Tippett said. “I think as soon as I was at the top, we kind of locked eyes and the seam stayed open and [Konecny] made a great play.”

Samuel Ersson made 27 saves in the win.

“That’s the nice thing about being a goalie, you get to impact the game in a big way,” Ersson said. “That’s what you want, you want to have those moments come at you and you want to come out with a big save, that’s the most fun part about being a goalie.”

Philadelphia moved to 34-24-8.

“Let’s put it this way, in my head, not even a thought when there’s something going to the net,” Flyers assistant Rocky Thompson said. “I have confidence, not that he’s going to make every save, but I don’t have the feeling like … he’s earned that respect in my opinion over the last couple of months here and he’s done a really good job.”

The two teams exchanged singles throughout the first two periods.

Joel Farabee hit first, at 3:29, for a 1-0 lead to the Flyers. He scored off a breakaway.

Filip Zadina , who had a double in the San Jose loss, potted his first, off the power play at 19:19.

“I got two great passes from Kunin and I put two in, but still wasn’t enough because we lost the game,” Zadina said. “Would have felt way better if we won that game.”

The Sharks dropped to 16-41-7 off their 10th loss in 11 matches.

“I thought there was a dip in our play in the third period and I thought they elevated their play and we weren’t able to match it,” Sharks coach David Quinn said.

In the middle frame, the Flyers reclaimed the lead, 2-1 on a strike by Morgan Frost at 9:20, scoring off the power play.

“I thought we were maybe a little bit lackadaisical in the first period and I thought that was a good wake-up call for us,” Frost said. “Thought the second was a little bit better and the third was probably our best. I think every game is so important, you can’t take any games off. Doesn’t matter how you get it done, just get the two points.”

Zadina collected his double at 13:32, scoring off his second power play effort.