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Knuble, Flyers blank floundering Ducks

Feb 3, 2008 - 5:03 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Mike Knuble gave the Philadelphia Flyers the offensive spark that the Anaheim Ducks sorely are missing these days.

Knuble recorded his first career hat trick and Martin Biron made 27 saves as the Flyers made amends for an embarrassing loss in their previous home game by posting a 3-0 victory Saturday over the struggling Ducks.

The Flyers entered Saturday third in the Eastern Conference with 163 goals, but they lacked punch Thursday and suffered a 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers.

Entering one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division, the Flyers have been one of the league's hottest teams and are now 13-3-1 since a shootout loss to Buffalo on December 22.

Making their first appearance in Philadelphia since a 2-1 loss on March 21, 2002, the Ducks have lost six straight and been blanked in their last two.

"I think this was their third game in four nights, but they are still the Stanley Cup champs and they have set the bar in the league," Flyers coach John Stevens said.

After a scoreless opening period in which both teams were held under eight shots, Knuble opened the scoring at 5:46 of the second period.

Defenseman Derian Hatcher took a wrist shot from between the faceoff circles that was stopped by goaltender Jonas Hiller, and the rebound was wristed on net by Scottie Upshall. The puck came loose again, and Knuble tucked it between the left goalpost and Hiller's glove for a 1-0 lead.

"I knew I got my stick on it, but I didn't know I scored," Knuble said. "I didn't know what carried the puck into the net."

It was Knuble's 17th goal of the season and first since January 24th against the Pittsburgh Penguins. But it would not be his last of the night.

Knuble added his second tally of the contest with 10 seconds left in the middle session. All-Star Mike Richards gathered the puck at the blue line and fired a slap shot that Knuble deflected between Hiller's legs for a 2-0 bulge.

Knuble completed his hat trick at 5:57 of the third, beating Hiller with a slap shot from above the right circle to give the Flyers a 3-0 cushion.

"Tonight was just a good moment," Knuble said. "This is my first one, including 140 games in the minors. This is my first hat trick at the entire pro level."

Knuble provided more than enough support for Biron, who turned aside five shots in the first period, 13 in the second and nine in the third for his third shutout of the season and 21st career.

"There are times in the season where you feel tired or you don't feel good, but lately, I feel like it has been a solid progression in the game I want to play," Biron said. "Tonight was a result of that."

Hiller made 22 saves for Anaheim, which fell to 0-3-1 on its nine-game road trip.

"It's a few mistakes that cost us," Ducks captain Chris Pronger said. "We need to sure up a couple of things, but at the end of the day, the effort and execution was there for 60 minutes. It was just a matter of a couple of mistakes."