Streaking Flyers Show Their Fans They’re for Real

In a city famous for its cynics, the Philadelphia Flyers are doing everything possible to shut them up.

Although they lead the Atlantic Division and have the second-best record in the NHL, the Flyers’ demanding followers won’t be satisfied until they beat some elite teams.

So Eric Lindros, John LeClair & Co. whipped the Phoenix Coyotes, 4-2, on Thursday night at Philadelphia for the Flyers’ eighth victory in 11 games.

The Flyers are the hottest team in the NHL.

“This is a good win for us,” said LeClair, who scored his NHL-leading 28th and 29th goals. “We talked about how we wanted to beat a top team. This is definitely a tough team.”

The Flyers have lost only once in their last 20 games (13-1-6) and are the only Eastern Conference team unbeaten against the West (10-0-4).

Though they haven’t yet played the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings or Colorado Avalanche, a victory over the Coyotes--who are second to the Stars in the Pacific Division--was a start.

“Phoenix is a great hockey club,” Flyer goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck said. “I think we were prepared throughout the day for this.”

New Jersey 2, Boston 0--Martin Brodeur stopped 40 shots for the Devils at Boston.

His teammates cleared most of the rebounds and the Devils got goals from Bobby Holik and Jason Arnott, but Brodeur was the difference.

Brodeur, though, wanted to share the credit.

“The Bruins created a lot of offense just getting the puck on net,” he said after his third shutout of the season, “but our guys were really strong, not allowing them to get any second shots.”

St. Louis 4, Vancouver 2--Scott Young scored two goals at Vancouver, including the winner with 2:12 to play, as the Blues spoiled the Canuck coaching debut of Marc Crawford.

Chicago 6, Calgary 6--Alexei Zhagicmnov scored the tying goal as the Blackhawks overcame a 6-4 third-period deficit at Calgary.

Pittsburgh 6, Toronto 0--Jaromir Jagr had a short-handed goal and three assists at Pittsburgh.

Peter Skudra, beaten for four goals in the second period of Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, stopped 21 shots to blank the NHL’s highest-scoring team for the second time this season.

Nashville 4, Buffalo 2--Blair Atcheynum scored the go-ahead goal in the third period at Buffalo.

Atcheynum, left alone at the top of the slot with 50 seconds left on Jay McKee’s interference penalty, one-timed a pass from Andrew Brunette to beat Sabre goaltender Dominik Hasek.

Carolina 3, N.Y. Rangers 2--Gary Roberts scored with 1:42 to play in overtime at Greensboro, N.C.