Flyers Edge Blackhawks, Oilers Beat Blues

One fortunate skip off the ice, and Philadelphia was in position to grab a playoff spot. The Flyers celebrated by packing up and heading home. Lots of days still left on the schedule.

Defenseman Radko Gudas scored on a deflected shot in the third period, and surging Philadelphia beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Wednesday night to move into position for a wild-card ticket to the postseason.

"We've pushed hard to get ourselves back in that race and be in the race," first-year coach Dave Hakstol said. "It's one step in the right direction. We've got a lot of work left in front of us."

Michal Neuvirth made 24 saves as Philadelphia improved to 8-1-1 in its last 10 games and leapfrogged idle Detroit for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers beat the Red Wings 4-3 at home on Tuesday night.

Gudas' slap shot at 9:53 of the third went off the stick of Blackhawks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff and then bounced off the ice before elevating past goaltender Scott Darling. It was Gudas' third goal of the season -- with each coming in the last six games.

Oilers 6, Blues 4

The power play was a big advantage for the Edmonton Oilers -- for a change. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mark Letestu each scored twice and the Oilers used four goals with the man advantage to defeat the St. Louis Blues 6-4 on Wednesday night.

"It was really nice to break out in a big way like we did tonight," Nugent-Hopkins said. "We had five, but four counted. It's something we've been harping on. It hasn't been good enough lately and, tonight, we broke out. We won some battles, took some shots and it paid off."

Taylor Hall and Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers, who have won six of their last 10 games, but had lost their last two.

David Backes scored twice, and Jaden Schwartz and Patrik Berglund also had goals for the Blues, who have lost two straight after a six-game winning streak.

Wednesday, March 16 Scoreboard

Montreal 3, Buffalo 2 (OT)

Philadelphia 3, Chicago 2

Edmonton 6, St. Louis 4

Calgary 4, Winnipeg 1

Colorado 3, Vancouver 1

NY Rangers 2, Anaheim 1

Thursday, March 17 Schedule (All Times Central)

Minnesota at New Jersey, 6 p.m.

Carolina at Pittsburgh, 6 p.m.

Detroit at Columbus, 6 p.m.

Florida at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.

NY Islanders at Nashville, 7 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

San Jose at Arizona, 9 p.m.

NY Rangers at Los Angeles, 9:30 p.m.