Flyers squander lead, win in shootout, 6-5

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers had a three-goal lead in their game with the Florida Panthers and managed to blow the lead before winning in a shootout, 6-5.

“Obviously it’s not the way we want to win the game at home, especially when you got a lead the way we had, but hopefully we can build on this,” Flyers captain Claude Giroux said.

Center Jordan Weal (#40) of the Philadelphia Flyers scores the winning goal against Goalie MichaelÊHutchinson (#39) of the Florida Panthers during the shootout.

Jordan Weal scored a goal and Giroux and Wayne Simmonds each struck twice for the Flyers in regulation.

Brian Elliott got the start for the Flyers but was given the hook and relieved by Calvin Pickard.

“We didn’t play the right way in the first 10 minutes of the third period,” Philadelphia coach Dave Hakstol said. “Gave up two breakaways and one Grade A chance from the slot, and that’s all it takes. To our players’ credit, they regained some composure in the last 10 minutes of the third, and we got going again.”

Evgenii Dadonov scored a single marker for the Panthers and Aleksander Barkov and Frank Vatrano added two goals each in the loss.

Trailing 5-2 in the second period, the Panthers rallied with three unanswered goals.

“Your best guys usually step up in the time that you need them, and in the third he did,” Vatrano said. “He (Barkov) got us two big goals. He does it for us night in and night out. I’m not surprised.

“He’s a superstar in this league.”

Right Wing Evgenii Dadonov (#63) of the Florida Panthers score against Goalie Brian Elliott (#37) of the Philadelphia Flyers

[WATCH: All Panthers vs. Flyers highlights]

Michael Hutchinson made 21 saves in the loss.

“I had the game in my hands to put us in another round of the shootout, and obviously it doesn’t go in, so going to kick myself a little bit about that. We got another game coming up on Friday that we want to get two points,” Vatrano said after the loss.

Philadelphia Flyers teammates congratulate Goalie Calvin Pickard (#33) of the Philadelphia Flyers for his performance during the shootout.

Center Vincent Trocheck (#21) of the Florida Panthers scores against Goalie Calvin Pickard (#33) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the shootout

Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers scores against Goalie Michael Hutchinson (#39) of the Florida Panthers in the shootout.

Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (#52) of the Florida Panthers

Center Jared McCann (#90) of the Florida Panthers

Left Wing MikeÊÊ Hoffman (#68) of the Florida Panthers

Center Aleksander Barkov (#16) of the Florida Panthers scores against Goalie Calvin Pickard (#33) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Goalie MichaelÊHutchinson (#39) of the Florida Panthers makes a save against Center Claude Giroux (#28) of the Philadelphia Flyers in the overtime period.