Flyers rally past Nashville

PHILADELPHIA – Claude Giroux played in 1,000th NHL game on Thursday night, and the Flyers needed to rally so as not to spoil the event.

Joel Farabee scored with 79 seconds left in regulation to give the Flyers a 5-4 win over the Nashville Predators.

“During the game I was trying to keep it together,” Giroux said. “I wasn’t too bad the first two periods, and then the third period hit, and the crowd and the teammates, they were extra special. I didn’t know what to expect, but tonight was pretty awesome.”

Philadelphia moved to 19-30-11.

Carter Hart made 28 saves in the Flyers win.

Kevin Hayes also scored for the Flyers, his goal tied the game, 4-4.

“This guy has been a captain for a long time, he’s a tremendous hockey player, he’s an even better human off the ice,” Hayes said. “He’s given back so much to this organization, this city, us as teammates. … I’m just really happy because he’s such a good guy.”

Filip Forsberg had give the Preds a 4-3 lead earlier in the frame.

“That was an unreal goal, one of those goals that only ‘Fil’ can score, between the legs and so quick in front of the net,” Nashville’s Roman Josi said. “There wasn’t a lot of space there. He’s been unbelievable for us and scoring so many goals. … Tying that scoring record, it’s a huge accomplishment.”

Nashville fell to 35-22-4.

“It wasn’t at the standard that we need to play with here,” Predators coach John Hynes said. “We have an identity and commitment level that we need to play with. We talk about icing the game that gives us the best way to win regardless of who we play and we weren’t at that level tonight.”

Travis Sanheim, James van Riemsdyk, and Cam York helped give the Flyers a 3-1 lead in the game.

“I think that was probably the coolest game that I’ve ever been a part of, just how the crowd was in it for ‘G,'” Farabee said. “Playing in a game or even just to be part of the team in a moment like that, for a captain that’s played as long as he has, I think it’s a special moment and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Nashville’s Tanner Jeannot tied the game, 1-1, after the Flyers took the lead on Sanheim’s goal.

The Predators rallied back to tie the game, 3-3, on goals from Philippe Myers and Ryan Johansen.