Guentzel, Pens overwhelm Flyers to clinch series

PHILADELPHIA – It all started so well when the Flyers’ Sean Couturier scored the first of his three goals Saturday in Game 6 with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The lead was short-lived as the Penguins roared back with two quick strikes to take the lead on goals from Sidney Crosby and Carl Hagelin.

Defenseman Ivan Provorov (#9) of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Center Sidney Crosby (#87) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Andrew MacDonald tied it up before the first period ended.

Matt Murray made 21 saves in picking up the win.

But there was never a feeling the Flyers were forcing this series back to Pittsburgh for a Game 7 as they lost 8-5 to their cross-state rivals.

And the four goals from Jake Guentzel were the daggers in the Flyers’ playoff hopes.

“You get that excitement, a little nerves in you,” Guentzel said. “This is what you want to play in. You grew up dreaming about this. It’s definitely fun.”

The four strikes were consecutive over the end of the middle frame and start of the third.

“He has the ability to play his best when the stakes are the highest,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’ve got a number of guys on his team [that can do that] … and I think Jake is one of those guys.”

Patric Hornqvist and also scored for the Pens.

“I just think [Guentzel] always plays best when the game is on the line,” Hornqvist said. “He’s been through a lot this year, and he always has a great response when things don’t go his way. … He just raises his game. It’s incredible to do what he did today, scoring four goals. He was the difference.”

Scott Laughton also scored for the Flyers to give them a 4-2 lead in the second period.

“Looked like we were in control of the game and they got two quick goals there and I’m not too sure (what happened),” Flyers forward Claude Giroux said.

Right Wing Bryan Rust (#17) of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers

[WATCH: All Penguins vs. Flyers highlights | Complete Penguins vs. Flyers series coverage]

Michal Neuvirth made 20 saves and was left without much defensive support.

“Early in the series we didn’t play our best. Today we let a two-goal lead slip. Shouldn’t happen in the playoffs, but we’ll learn from it and come back better next year,” Couturier said after the series ending loss.

Couturier played the last two games of the series with a torn MCL.

“The decision was on me,” Couturier said. “I had the support of the staff, the organization and the medical team. They helped me a lot. We had a lot of treatments. It definitely got better over the days, but it wasn’t the ideal situation.”

Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins is congratulated for his win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Center Nolan Patrick (#19) of the Philadelphia Flyers looks for the rebound against Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Right Wing Patric Hornqvist (#72) of the Pittsburgh Penguins congratulated by his teammates for his goal in the second period.

Left Wing Conor Sheary (#43) of the Pittsburgh Penguins escorted to the penalty box by Linesman Mark Shewchyk (#92)

Center Jake Guentzel (#59) of the Pittsburgh Penguins congratulated by congratulated by teammate Center Sidney Crosby (#87) for his game-tying goal in the second period.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a save on Right Wing Phil Kessel (#81) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a pad save on Center Claude Giroux (#28) of the Philadelphia Flyers

Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Pittsburg Defenseman Justin Schultz (#4) out of the way while screening Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Center Zach Aston-Reese (#46) of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Defenseman Andrew MacDonald (#47) of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Defenseman Radko Gudas (#3) of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Center Sidney Crosby (#87) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburg Penguin players look to the point for the incoming shot.

Goalie Matt Murray (#30) and Defenseman Brian Dumoulin (#8) of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Center Nolan Patrick (#19) and Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers