Flyers Shoot Past Predators

A few days off combined with some hard practices seem to have kicked Philadelphia's Mikael Renberg into a higher gear.

Renberg extended his scoring streak to seven games Thursday night with a goal and an assist as the Flyers edged the Nashville Predators 2-1.

"We had a lot of days off last week and we got to practice hard, and I think I really needed that," said Renberg, who has eight points in his streak. "I feel good when I practice harder."

Coach Roger Neilson has noticed Renberg's improved play of late.

"He's started to really skate well and certainly the best that I've seen him play," Neilson said.

Renberg tied the game 43 seconds into the second period with his 13th goal this season on a breakaway when his slap shot from the high slot bounced off goaltender Tomas Vokoun's stomach.

He set up Rod Brind'Amour's 22nd goal from behind the net, and Brind'Amour scored on a one-timer from the right circle at 14:44 as the line of Renberg, Brind'Armour and Mark Recchi provided all the scoring the Flyers needed.

"We played well," said Recchi, who had missed the last three games with a concussion. "We had a good night tonight. We played well in our own end, and when we got our chances, we put them in."

It was a much different game from the teams' other meeting when the Flyers routed the expansion franchise 8-0 on Jan. 11 in Philadelphia. Nashville has lost 11 games by four or more goals this season.

The Predators were much stingier Thursday night, holding Philadelphia to just five shots on its fur power plays.

Vokoun had given up nine goals to the Flyers in two previous appearances totaling 49:33. But he had 37 saves in his fourth straight start in relief of injured Mike Dunham.

His best save came in the opening minutes of the third period as he stacked the pads against Recchi on a pass from Eric Lindros, in his first game back after his two-game suspension.

"I'm not disappointed at all in terms of our effort and how we played and battled," said Nashville coach Barry Trotz. "It was probably a pretty entertaining game."

The Predators took their first lead ever against Philadelphia at 12:39 in the first on a surprise goal by Drake Berehowsky. He picked up his first goal this season while trying to keep the puck alive on the left boards only to backhand it past goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.

"It was a bit of a fluke play," said Vanbiesbrouck. "I never really saw it until the end. Berehowsky went to the boards and met with our guy. He just kind of flipped it. You think he's just trying to shovel it down in the corner."

Nashville also had chances to tie the game, but two shots bounced off the goal post, including Kimmo Timmonen's try at 5:00 of the second. Sebastien Bordeleau also missed the puck in the crease in the final seconds.

The Flyers, who are just 11-10 in one-goal games, didn't waste much time taking the lead in the second period thanks to Renberg.

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