Konecny’s hat trick lifts Flyers over Pens

Travis Konecny had a hat trick and the Philadelphia Flyers survived losing team MVP Sean Couturier to an injury in a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.

Ivan Provorov scored and Oskar Lindblom added an empty-netter for the host Flyers.

The Flyers swept their rival in the two-game home set, but can only hope they won’t lose Couturier for extended time. Couturier became the first Flyers player in 33 years to win the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward. Couturier was plowed into the boards and may have hurt his left shoulder. He left after just two shifts and 45 seconds. He scored 22 goals last season and was voted team MVP. CAPITALS2,SABRES1>> Vitek Vanecek made 28 saves in his NHL debut, Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist and Washington won at Buffalo to sweep the season-opening series.

Jakub Vrana scored his second goal of the season for the Capitals, 6-4 winners over the Sabres on Thursday night. Rasmus Ristolainen scored for Buffalo, and Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots.

Wilson gave Washington the lead for good midway through the third period. Nicklas Backstrom dropped the puck off in the right circle for Wilson, and he flung a wrist shot over Ullmark’s glove.

LIGHTNING 5, BLACKHAWKS 2 >> Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat had a goal and an assist each, and Tampa Bay beat Chicago.

Yanni Gourde and Blake Coleman added a goal and an assist and Alex Killorn also scored as Tampa Bay completed a sweep in a season-opening two-game set against Chicago. The Lightning are 16-1-2 against the

Blackhawks since the 201011 season.

SENATORS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 3>> Brady Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, Matt Murray made 20 saves in his Ottawa debut and the host Senators beat Toronto in their first game in more than 10 months.