Flyers knock off Penguins

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Steve Downie was the first of five Flyers suspended this season for vicious blows that earned them comparisons to the ol’ “Broad Street Bullies.” They were called dirty and put on notice by the league that one more infraction would result in stiff penalties.

Wow, how the season’s changed for Philadelphia.

Now the first-place Flyers are the ones labeling a hit dangerous and deliberate — this one against Downie — and calling for a suspension.

Mike Knuble and Jim Vandermeer scored third-period goals to lift the Flyers to a 4-3 win over the Penguins on Thursday, their fourth win this season against their division rivals.

The Flyers are tied with New Jersey (59 points) for first in the Atlantic Division a year after they ended with the worst record in the NHL.

“That was a goal of ours all year,” said R.J. Umberger. “It’s a crucial time now.”

Evgeni Malkin scored his 27th goal for the Penguins in their first game since they learned reigning MVP Sidney Crosby will miss six to eight weeks with a high ankle sprain.

Downie, a rookie forward, and Penguins forward Georges Laraque each got game misconducts. Laraque earned his for drilling Downie from behind head first into the board late in the second period. Downie, who earned a 20-game suspension in September for a hit to the head, was tossed in the third for fighting moments after Knuble put the Flyers up 4-3.

Flyers coach John Stevens said Laraque met the league-mandated criteria for a suspension since the head was intentionally targeted.

“He knew what he was doing,” Stevens said. “That’s an extremely dangerous play and the league has obviously dealt with this enough this year that they know what they are doing.”

Umberger and Randy Jones also scored for the Flyers.

Petr Sykora and Ryan Whitney each scored for the Penguins.

The last game between the Pens and Flyers in Philly back in December saw a flurry of fights that sent both coaches into a postgame snit.