Reeling Flyers fall to Oilers, 5-4, in overtime

EDMONTON, Alberta — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored two goals, including the winner 2:46 into overtime as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 on Saturday night.

Teddy Purcell, Matt Hendricks and Jordan Eberle scored in regulation for the Oilers (20-39-13), who have won two of three.

Claude Giroux netted two goals, and Ryan White and Michael Raffl also scored for the Flyers (29-29-16), who have lost four in a row and eight of nine.

Edmonton started the scoring just 51 seconds in. Eberle stole the puck from defenseman Nicklas Grossman behind the Flyers net and sent it in front to Nugent-Hopkins, who scored his 21st goal of the season past Philadelphia goalie Ray Emery.

The Flyers tied it 4:25 into the first period when Giroux scored his 20th goal with a quick wrist shot from the slot that beat Edmonton starter Ben Scrivens.

Philadelphia made it 2-1 with 8:00 to play in the first as Giroux sent a power-play shot through traffic for his second of the game.

Just 2:17 later, Nikita Nikitin's giveaway led to a 2-on-1 break for the Flyers that White finished to give Philadelphia a two-goal lead.

Edmonton got one back with 3:45 left in the opening frame when Purcell ripped in a one-timed drive.

The Oilers tied it 3-3 with 31 seconds remaining in the first as a rebound dropped in front of Hendricks on the doorstep, and he banged the puck past Emery.

Just 1:11 into the second, Edmonton regained the lead as Benoit Pouliot sprung Eberle, who scored with a backhand.

The Flyers tied it 4-4 at 46 seconds of the third period when Raffl scored on a hard wrist shot from the top of the circle.


NOTES 

• It was the second and final meeting between the teams this season. The Flyers won the first game 4-1 in Philadelphia on Nov. 4.

• Oilers forward Taylor Hall returned to the lineup after missing 23 of the previous 24 games.

• Edmonton captain Andrew Ference played in his 900th NHL game.