Simmonds leads Flyers past Predators for 5th straight win

NASHVILLE — Wayne Simmonds scored two power-play goals and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Sunday night to win their fifth consecutive game.

Playing in front of a sellout crowd, the Flyers (14-103) earned their second road victory in two days against a Central Division team. They defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 on Saturday.

The Predators (11-9-4) lost in regulation for only the second time in 12 home games this season.

Simmonds, who leads the Flyers with 13 goals, scored twice against what had been a stingy Nashville penalty-killing unit at home. The Predators did not allow a power-play goal in their first 10 home games, but have given up three in their last two games.

Michael Raffl gave Philadelphia its third one-goal lead with 3:23 left in the second period.

He bulled his way past Nashville defenceman Mattias Ekholm, cut across the crease and slipped the puck beyond the reach of goalie Juuse Saros for a 3-2 advantage.

Chris Vande-Velde capped the scoring with an empty-net goal with 26.3 seconds remaining.

Colin Wilson had tied it at 2 for the Predators with 8:41 to go in the second, lifting a short-range backhand past Steve Mason.

Mike Fisher sent Wilson in alone on goal with a nice cross-ice pass from just inside the blue line.

Nashville has 35 goals in the second period this season, one fewer than the team has totalled in the first and third combined.

Simmonds’ second power-play goal of the night put the Flyers up 2-1 with 13:13 left in the second period. Simmonds stationed himself in front of the Nashville net and stuffed a shot under Saros.

The Predators tied it 1-all with 16:43 left in the second when Calle Jarnkrok scored his fourth goal of the season.