With the win, the Flyers jumped over the Penguins and into a first-place tie with New Jersey in the division. They have a game in hand on the Devils.
"To be in this position now, heading into the break, these guys deserve a lot of credit for the focus and commitment they've had all year," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "We still have obstacles to overcome."
The Flyers saw three one-goal leads evaporate, but they made a goal by Mike Knuble early in the third period stand up after Ryan Whitney had pulled Pittsburgh into a 3-3 tie 34 seconds earlier. Defenseman Jim Vandermeer had given the Flyers a 3-2 edge early in the third on a power play.
In a frightening scene, the Flyers' Steve Downie left the ice dazed with three seconds remaining in the second period after slamming headfirst into the boards when the Penguins' Georges Laraque delivered a vicious check from behind that surely will get the attention of NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell.
The even-tempered Stevens made his feelings about the hit quite clear.
"I thought that was a vicious hit at the end of the period," Stevens said. "That hit on Downie, that's a real dangerous play. There's a lot of criteria involved: Hitting a player from behind. Intent to injure. A shot at the head. That's a very, very dangerous play. [Laraque] knew what he was doing."
Laraque got a major penalty for checking from behind and a game misconduct, and Vandermeer scored on the ensuing five-minute power play.
Downie appeared to be finished for the night after he was helped back to his skates by team trainer Jim McCrossin, but the 20-year-old rookie not only came out for the third period, he also showed he had plenty left by trying to exact some revenge. He got into a fight with Ryan Stone and drew a game misconduct because his jersey was not tied down. This time, Downie was indeed through for the night.
Afterward, Downie said he felt fine.
