Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Live Score Updates and Analysis

The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-5 on Wednesday night in what was the most exciting game of the 2013 NHL season.

These two rivals combined for six goals in a thrilling third period that was played with the intensity of a Game 7 in the playoffs.

The Flyers took a 3-2 lead into the third period, and extended their lead to 5-3 before committing three penalties in a two-minute span that allowed the Penguins to have a prolonged power-play, including a lengthy 5-on-3 advantage.

Pittsburgh tied the game 5-5 with 3:03 left in the final period, but the Flyers bounced back quickly with a goal from Jakub Voracek 32 seconds later that completed his hat trick.

After a bad start to the season, Philadelphia is now tied for the eighth and final playoff spot (w/New York Rangers and Tampa Bay) in the Eastern Conference with 17 points (8-9-1). Pittsburgh is now fourth in the East with 22 points (11-6-0).

The Flyers' next game will be Thursday at home against the Florida Panthers. The Penguins will host the Panthers on Friday.

Scoring Summary:

Matt Niskanen at 5:07 of 1st Period, assisted by Kris Letang 

Evgeni Malkin at 7:15 of 1st Period (Power-Play), assisted by Paul Martin and James Neal

Nicklas Grossmann at 11:49 of 1st Period, assisted by Mike Knuble and Sean Couturier

Wayne Simmonds at 12:49 of 1st Period, assisted by Danny Briere

Jakub Voracek at 19:50 of 2nd Period (Power-Play), assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn 

Jakub Voracek at 0:18 of 3rd Period, assisted by Claude Giroux and Braydon Coburn

Tyler Kennedy at 5:29 of 3rd Period, assisted by Paul Martin

Wayne Simmonds at 7:36 of 3rd Period, assisted by Maxime Talbot and Bruno Gervais

James Neal at 12:46 of 3rd Period (Power-Play), assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby

Brandon Sutter at 17:57 of 3rd Period, assisted by Paul Martin at Matt Cooke

Jakub Voracek at 18:29 of 3rd Period, assisted by Claude Giroux

 

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Lead Writer at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.