The Philadelphia Flyers flopped in the 3rd period after their best period of the season. Fall to the Boston Bruins 4-2 & are now 5-points out of a playoff spot.
With their comeback win last night, the Flyers could have used that as momentum in tonight’s rematch. However, the Bruins would be the team with the jump. Which would lead to yet another bad opening period for the Flyers.
Head coach Alain Vigneault said pregame, as well as the past few games, he needed more from his top line. Tonight, their recent struggles continued. Starting with the opening face-off, the Bruins first goal, & a line change.
After controlling the puck off the face-off, the 1st line would be pinned in their own zone. Resulting in a 1:34 opening shift. Then a defensive breakdown would result in the opening goal. With Justin Braun out of position no-one of picked up his coverage in-front. Resulting in a 2v1 in tight & a Patrice Bergeron goal. Which would be enough for Vigneault. Who would demote Joel Farabee to the 4th line for Oskar Lindblom.
Looking for a response, the Flyers looked to their leaders once again. Which resulted in a 2-goal & 25-7 shot advantage in the 2nd period. Starting with both goals & a 8-0 shot advance in the first 4:03 of the period.
After leading comebacks against the Sabres & Islanders, Jake Voracek-Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny did it again. Scoring the Flyers first goal off of a great shift of forechecking. Which resulted in a turnover & a Jake Voracek goal. Then capitalizing on a Bruin who broke his stick with a beautiful cycle play to find Shayne Gostisbehere for the tying goal.
However, in what has become the Flyers motto this season, they couldn’t finish it off.
In the 3rd period, the Flyers showed no push or fight. Firing just 4-shots on net. Three of the four coming with less than 5-minutes left in the game.
But, it would be the Flyers special teams that let down down once again. This time on the power-play.
With a Bruins power-play goal in the 1st period, the Bruins penalty killers would get the game decider in the 3rd period. Which was yet again from the Flyers shooting themselves in the foot.
Instead of shooting, which the Flyers only had 1-shot at the time, Jake Voracek tried to pass the puck. Which would then lead to a board battle loss, a puck battle loss, & a 2v1 for Boston for the goal.
Carter Hart stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced in the losing effort.
Loose Pucks…
– The Flyers had a 2nd period that could have saved their season. After another bad opening 20-minutes, the Flyers roared back with a 2-goal 2nd period. Completing dominating the Bruins on all fronts & finishing with a season high 25-shots on net.
– Jake Voracek-Claude Giroux-Travis Konecny continue to lead the Flyers. After leading the comebacks against the Sabres & Islanders, they brought the Flyers back in the 2nd period again tonight.
– Special teams continue to haunt the Flyers. Tonight, resulting in two goals that determined the outcome of the game. Giving up a power-play goal in the 1st & a short-handed goal in the 3rd.
– With the loss, the Flyers are now 5-points behind the Bruins for a playoff spot. A spot that with a win could have been attainable. Now, is very much out of reach with just 18-games left in the season.
– Well, time is up. GM Chuck Fletcher said on Saturday the team’s performance over next four days would dictate their direction at the deadline. After dropping tonight’s game to the Bruins, the Flyers have made up no ground since that statement. Which should lead Fletcher to selling at the deadline.
Result : Flyers 2 – Bruins 4 , LOSS
Record : 18 – 15 – 5
Next Game : 4/8 New York Islanders, Uniondale NY, 7:00pm
Photo Credit : Len Redkoles – Getty Images
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