Pens snap skid, stop Flyers streak

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers had their 10-game point streak come to an end on Monday night at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Pens’ Matt Murray needed to make a career high 50 saves to get the win.

Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Defenseman Brian Dumoulin (#8) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Many of those shots were quality efforts but Murray was equal to the task.

“They do a good job of getting pucks through, tips like that,” Murray said. “You’ve got to give them a lot of credit, they made it a really hard night for us.”

Nick Bjugstad (first goal for Pittsburgh), Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Kris Letang scored for the Penguins.

The Pens needed the win to keep their small cushion in the wild card race.

“It’s really close right now,” Crosby said. “We know that it’s going to be tight all the way down the stretch here. It’s something we should be excited for.”

Pittsburgh improved to 29-20-7 after snapping a four-game skid.

Right Wing Wayne Simmonds (#17) of the Philadelphia Flyers checks Defenseman Marcus Pettersson (#28) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Jakub Voracek scored the Flyers’ lone goal.

“Was a four-point game, was the biggest game of the year. We gained a lot of ground the last 10 games; be even better if we won tonight. But it’s not over. Just got to keep grinding,” Voracek said.

Philadelphia dropped to 25-24-7.

“I think all game we played well,” Flyers center Sean Couturier said. “We created a lot of chances, couldn’t capitalize.”

[WATCH: All Penguins vs. Flyers highlights]

Carter Hart‘s win streak ended at nine games; he made 24 saves in the loss.

“We played a good game,” Philadelphia forward Wayne Simmonds said. “I don’t think the shots were perimeter shots. Thought we were getting good opportunities.”

Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots the puck under the crossbar and into the net against Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots at Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Goalie Matt Murray (#30), Right Wing Jakub Voracek (#93) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Defenseman Brian Dumoulin (#8) of the Pittsburgh Penguins

Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers and Defenseman Kris Letang (#58) of the Pittsburgh Penguins watch Pittsburgh Goalie Matt Murray (#30) stop the puck off his shoulder.

Goalie Matt Murray (#30) of the Pittsburgh Penguins covers up the puck before Left Wing Oskar Lindblom (#23) of the Philadelphia Flyers can get it for a rebound.

Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers sets a screen as Defenseman Marcus Pettersson (#28) of the Pittsburgh Penguins move in to defend the goalie.