Senators hand Flyers fourth straight loss, 4-3, in shootout

PHILADELPHIA – The Flyers’ Nolan Patrick struck for the game-tying goal with just three second left in regulation Saturday.

But it was not enough to keep Philadelphia from losing its fourth straight game, 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators.

The Sens’ Mike Hoffman potted what would be the game-winner in the skills competition.

Hoffman used a move to deke then poke the puck into the past a sprawling Michal Neuv irth.

Philadelphia Flyers Center Nolan Patrick’s shot trickle past Goalie Craig Anderson (#41), Defenseman Erik Karlsson (#65) and Left Wing Zack Smith (#15) to tie the game with 2.6 seconds left in the third period.

“Last year in the (Stanley Cup) Playoffs was one and tonight here was two,” he said. “Some moves work, some don’t. If you don’t try them you never know.”

Ottawa took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Matt Duchene and Derick Brassard

Christopher DiDomenico also scored for the Senators.

Craig Anderson got the win on 33 saves.

“We tried our best to block shots and tie up in front, but those goals are going to happen late,” Anderson said. “I’ve always been a believer in, it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you respond. We came out strong in the overtime, had a couple good scoring chances, weren’t able to connect. Then when it gets to the shootout, just start flipping coins.”

Ottawa improved to 17-24-9 with the win.

“Was one of those nights where I was feeling pretty good with the shootout, being patient, not moving too much. They missed the net on the second one. You need a little bit of luck sometimes with those. I’ve been in there when you can’t stop anything. Every night is something new,” Anderson said after the win.

Sean Couturier and Scott Laughton also scored for the Flyers in regulation as they dropped to 24-19-8.

“Second and third (periods) we played pretty well, pretty good hockey, pretty aggressive, won a lot of battles,” Couturier said. “But then again we need to play a 60-minute game to earn those two points and tonight the first 20 was questionable. We battled hard to get a big point but it would be nice to get two.”

[WATCH: All Senators vs. Flyers highlights]

Alex Lyon got the start for the Flyers but was pulled after yielding three goals on 23 shots.

“I don’t think we played our game in the first period. We were sitting back a little bit and watching what was going to happen. Second and third were better,” Claude Giroux said after the loss.

Neuvirth came in and made six saves.

Goalie Craig Anderson (#41) of the Ottawa Senators makes a save on Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (#53) of the Philadelphia Flyers during the overtime period.

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a save on Center Matt Duchene (#95) of the Ottawa Senators during the shootout

Goalie Michal Neuvirth (#30) of the Philadelphia Flyers makes save on Center Matt Duchene (#95) of the Ottawa Senators in the overtime period.

Center Jordan Weal (#40) of the Philadelphia Flyers drives to the net against Goalie Craig Anderson (#41) of the Ottawa Senators

Defenseman Erik Karlsson (#65) and Goalie Craig Anderson (#41) of the Ottawa Senators defend the net against Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers,

Center Derick Brassard (#19) of the Ottawa Senators celebrates their 3rd goal of the game.

Defenseman Brandon Manning (#23) moves in to help as
Goalie Alex Lyon (#49) of the Philadelphia Flyers makes a save on Center Nate Thompson (#17) of the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators players look on as the shot by Center Sean Couturier (#14) of the Philadelphia Flyers sneaks under the glove hand of Goalie Craig Anderson (#41) of the Ottawa Senators in the second period.