NHL Daily: Flyers Help Pitt; College Free-Agent Watch

Florida was playing on back-to-back nights, but the surging Panthers were still heavily favored to beat the going-nowhere Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

Philly had other ideas.

The Flyers’ youngsters are trying to open their coaches’ eyes — and succeeding. Their veterans who figure to be on the trade block — hello, Travis Sanheim et al — want to show they can be part of the future, too.

So the Flyers went out and whipped a Florida team that had been on 6-0-1 run.

Flyers 6, Panthers 3.

Somewhere, the Pittsburgh Penguins were cheering.

The Flyers, you see, helped their hated opponents from across the state. Florida (79 points) and the Penguins (78) are battling for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot. Pittsburgh has a game in hand and has 12 games left.

On another topic, who are the NCAA free agents who may entice NHL teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers?

For the answer, check out the stories below:

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: Carter Hart was brilliant, Travis Sanheim scored two goals, and the young kids again had a major impact as the Flyers whipped Florida, 6-3. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: A three-on-three pro hockey tournament is coming to the Wells Fargo Center. 3ICE.

Florida Hockey Now: The Flyers’ hurt the Panthers’ playoff chances and helped the Penguins. Florida Panthers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Jeff Petry returned to the Penguins’ practice. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Free-agent watch: Here are the top NCAA free agents who could be gobbled up. Will any interest Flyers interim GM Danny Briere? Sportsnet.

Washington Hockey Now: Should someone put a fork in the Caps and their playoff chances? If you want to reach the playoffs, you can’t afford to drop a 7-6 overtime decision to awful Columbus. But the Capitals did just that. Washington Capitals.

Boston Hockey Now: Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark continues to resemble Tim Thomas on his remarkable run to the 2011 Stanley Cup. Ullmark made 40 saves as the B’s beat Ottawa, 2-1. Boston Bruins.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Habs (62 points) jolted Tampa Bay, 3-2, and still have two points fewer than the Flyers (64) in the draft-lottery race. Arizona has 65 points.