Flyers' supporting cast cools off Florida

BRAYDEN SCHENN blasted down the boards and pickpocketed Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell, giving Campbell a shove on his way toward the slot.

Gliding toward the left, Schenn cradled the puck and deftly dished right, in the direction of Sean Couturier's outstretched stick.

Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo, sprawled on the still-fresh first-period ice, had little chance as the puck curled around the back of the net smoother than a new stick of deodorant.

It was the first glimpse of Schenn's most inspired period of hockey this season.

Was it possible that spark came from the fact that he was passed over for a spot on the top line with Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek - not once but twice in 24 hours?

If so, Craig Berube couldn't have drawn it up any better. Schenn assisted on two first-period goals, finally got Matt Read and Sean Couturier involved offensively and gave the first line a much-needed break as the Flyers coasted to a 4-1 win over Florida.

In the process, the Flyers handed Florida its first regulation loss of the season on the road, snapping the Panthers' shot at a chance for a franchise record. It was also the first time Luongo had allowed more than two goals in a game in nearly a month, dating back to Oct. 11.

"We can't rely on Jake and 'G' to score us goals every night," Schenn said. "Obviously, we'd like them to, but in this league, it's not going to happen every single night. You're going to need some secondary scoring."

Schenn helped stir up that secondary scoring.

On his way to a two-point night, Couturier scored just his third non-empty-net goal of the season. Read added his fifth point of the year.

Defenseman Michael Del Zotto chipped in with his first goal in a Flyers uniform. The Flyers even got a goal from their fourth line for the second straight game, thanks to Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.

"We need something out of everybody every game. That's it," coach Craig Berube said. "We need everybody. You can't depend on online line or two sets of defense or just on your goalie. We need everybody that's dressed in the lineup to play to their potential."

Berube said Schenn "beat people one-on-one, made plays with the puck and his feet were moving." It was easily his most noticeable game of the young season, one in which he's transitioning from center to a permanent spot on the left wing.

Along the way, the Flyers still received help from Voracek, who is tied with Sidney Crosby atop the NHL's points list with 19. He scored in the second period, less than a minute after Florida made it 3-1, squashing any hope for a Panthers comeback.

They never threatened again.

The quick start from Schenn's line took some much-needed pressure off Voracek and Giroux to produce. He still has a point in seven straight games and at least one in 12 of the Flyers' first 13 games.

"Every line has got to step up," Voracek said. "We had a good game the other night, their line had a great game tonight. In the end, that's all that counts. We've got to win games and that's how you win them."

The Flyers have now outscored their opponents, 8-2, during this four-game homestand. More impressive, they've outscored Florida and Edmonton by an 8-1 stretch at five-on-five even strength, where they ranked as one of the NHL's worst teams last season. Even with a 23-11 run over the last seven games, they're just now teetering on the edge of even for the season, having allowed one more goal (27) at even strength than they've scored (26).

Berube was hoping to further push those numbers by creating a dominant top line. He replaced Chris VandeVelde with Wayne Simmonds on the top line to start the period, forming what could ultimately become the second coming of the "Legion Of Doom."

It was a combination Berube said he thought of during the first intermission. He was alarmed that Simmonds, the team's co-leading goal scorer with Voracek and Michael Raffl, wasn't getting the puck enough playing with R.J. Umberger and Vinny Lecavalier.

"It could be a real lethal combination, to be honest with you," Berube said. "They've got a little bit of everything there: One of the best players in the league around the net and two elite passers and playmakers. It could be good. We'll see."

No matter how good Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds turn out to be together, the Flyers will be nothing without a little help from their teammates.

The Panthers could have tied a franchise record for best road start in a season with eight straight points . . . Michael Del Zotto's first-period goal was his first since March 28, when he was with Nashville, a span of 15 games . . . Phantoms forward Darroll Powe was suspended for two games by the AHL for an illegal check to the head on Wednesday in Worcester, Mass.

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