SUNRISE, Fla. -- Philadelphia Flyers right winger Dale Weise went his first 15 games this season without a goal.

He was scoreless in the final 16 games of last season, too. In fact, the last time he scored was two teams ago, with the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 19 against the Flyers.

Weise finally found the back of the net again Tuesday night, and his goal stood as the game-winner as Philadelphia defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 at the BB&T Center.

"I don't think I've had a start that poorly at any level -- juniors, minors, NHL, anything," said the 28-year-old Weise, who played for the Chicago Blackhawks late last season. "It was wearing on me. It just feels like a relief."

The Flyers were relieved to reverse a lot of trends Tuesday, snapping a 0-for-10 power-play drought, winning for the first time after three straight losses at the BB&T Center and shutting down Florida's offense after having serious defensive issues to start the season.

However, a leg injury sustained in the second period by Flyers center Sean Couturier tempered Philly's joy. The Flyers offered no updates on Couturier's condition, but it didn't look good.

"It looked like he got tangled up there (with Florida center Vincent Trocheck)," said Flyers goalie Steve Mason, who earned the win. "I heard him yelling in some pain. He's a big part of our team. Hopefully he's not out for any period of time."

Mason was another big story. The Flyers entered the game last in the NHL with a 3.42 goals-allowed per game before Mason made 38 saves.

"Florida had some really good chances, but 'Mase' played unbelievable," Weise said. "He made some game-changing saves. He was the best player on the ice."

The Flyers (9-8-3) got goals from Wayne Simmonds in the first period, Weise in the second and Nick Cousins in the third. Weise and Cousins scored on the power play to end Philadelphia's drought.

Simmonds, who has 10 goals this season but was dropped from the first line to the second before this game, added an assist.

The Panthers (10-8-1) managed only a late goal by Reilly Smith. Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (25 saves) had his four-game win streak snapped.

Florida center Nick Bjugstad, who had a total of 31 goals the past two years, made his 2016-17 debut after missing several weeks due to a broken hand. But Bjugstad, like his teammates, failed to make much of a positive impact.

The Flyers welcomed back left winger Chris VandeVelde, who had been out briefly while being tested for a possible concussion, and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, who had been benched for a game. Gostisbehere, who is from South Florida, had several family members in the stands.

Philadelphia opened the scoring with 8:49 left in the first period. Simmonds scored unassisted, roofing a shot over Luongo's right shoulder.

The Flyers got their power play going in the second period. Rookie center Travis Konecny, on a two-on-one with Weise, had his wrist shot bounce off Luongo's glove. Weise feasted on the juicy rebound to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead with 6:57 left in the second period.

"I don't think anybody on this team worries about our power play," Weise said. "We have such a talented group. We worry more about five-on-five scoring. We want to generate chances there and not rely on our power play so much."

Philadelphia made it 3-0 on Cousins' power-play goal with 12:56 left in the third. Simmonds' slick pass freed Cousins, who was in alone on Luongo.

"They had breakaways, they had two-on-ones," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said, summing up the Flyers' night. "We can't play that way against Philly. They can score a lot of goals, and they took it to us tonight."

Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle blamed Florida's just-completed 3-1-0 road trip.

"That first game at home after a tough road trip is tough," he said. "We need to be more consistent."

Smith's tip-in goal with 1:51 left in the third ruined Mason's bid for a shutout. Smith tipped in a shot from the left circle by Jonathan Marchessault.

But that was all Florida could get on Mason, who credited his teammates.

"The guys did a great job of moving bodies," Mason said. "They gave me great lanes to see the puck."

NOTES: Florida's road trip that included wins over two division leaders, the Montreal Canadiens (Atlantic) and the New York Rangers (Metropolitan). ... Florida sent LW Jared McCann to the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds. ... Florida scratched D Dylan McIlrath, C Seth Griffith and LW Shawn Thornton. ... The Flyers were without G Michal Neuvirth (left knee) and C Boyd Gordon (back spasms). ... Flyers rookie G Anthony Stolarz, a 6-6, 220-pounder, is on the roster and waiting to make his NHL debut. Once the 22-year-old Stolarz gets in, he will be the first goalie from New Jersey to play in the NHL. ... Philadelphia scratched D Nick Schultz, LW Roman Lyubimov and D Michael Del Zotto.