Hart’s return delayed by illness, Flyers break slump in win over Ducks

Hart’s return delayed by illness, Flyers break slump in win over Ducks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers simplified their approach early and found the scoring touch late to pick up a 6-3 win Friday night over the Ducks in Anaheim, California.

Eleven different Flyers recorded at least a point at Honda Center, with four enjoying multi-point performances.

John Tortorella’s club badly needed a night like this offensively.

After scoring just one goal over their previous two games, the Flyers (6-7-1) got markers from Sean Couturier, Cam Atkinson and Louie Belpedio only 22:33 minutes into Friday night’s action.

In the third period, Travis Sanheim scored the Flyers’ fourth goal with a beautiful move and finish just outside the crease. Owen Tippett iced the game with some dazzle of his own and then an empty-netter for a two-goal night.

Leo Carlsson, the 2023 second overall draft pick, delivered a hat trick for the Ducks (7-6-0).

But the Flyers led for 55-plus minutes and never trailed.

The club split its two-game regular-season series with Anaheim. The Ducks handed the Flyers a 7-4 loss in Philadelphia almost two weeks ago.

• Sanheim was excellent all night.

The 27-year-old defenseman finished with three points (one goal, two assists) and a plus-4 rating.

Just as important as the offensive production, he made some strong, physical plays defensively and had four blocked shots.

Sanheim is the Flyers’ leading scorer through 14 games. He has 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) and has played 25:49 minutes per game.

“There’s more opportunity, I want to take advantage of that this season,” Sanheim said after a stressful but impactful offseason. “I think that was one of the main things in the summer, that you see opportunity and it makes you excited. For the first time probably in my career, some different spots are available. I want to take advantage of that.”

• Tortorella told reporters at morning skate in Anaheim that Carter Hart was unavailable because of an…