BOSTON – If the Flyers needed anything else to go wrong during their recent stretch, their travel should have been the least of their worries.
But, after arriving in Boston shortly past 3:00am after troubles in Columbus, the latter half of the back to back was already looking dreadful before it even started. It didn’t get any better after another sloppy first period.
Boston would score twice in a matter of 41 seconds to pounce early on the tired Flyers. The opening goal coming in a way that has become too frequent for Samuel Ersson recently.
After making three ten bell saves in the opening minutes, Ersson let in another soft goal through the five hole. It wouldn’t be the last one of the night either.
Early in the second period, another soft goal would squeak right through Ersson’s five hole. The goal gave the Bruins a 3-0 lead and ended the Flyers early pressure to start the period.
Travis Konecny tried his best once again to put the team on his back. His 21st goal of the season, fourth goal in past two games, got the Flyers on the board the next shift.
It was then the Flyers defense in their own zone turn to completely fall apart. Two Bruins goals in the final 3:48 of the second period would give them a 5-1 lead. Neither were Ersson’s fault.
After making another ten bell save, three Flyers watched the puck lay there as a Bruins player tapped it home. Leaving there net-minder out to dry after making a huge save.
Two shifts later, the Flyers couldn’t clear two Bruins out from in-front of Ersson. A point shot flying by the heavily screened Ersson in-front.
Nikita Grebenkin got a well deserved goal late in the second period. His fourth of the season was earned by his strong play on the top line tonight with the Flyers new look lines.
Trevor Zegras got to play center for the second time this season, centering Matvei Michkov and Bobby Brink. Sean Couturier was regulated to the fourth line, centering Nic Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.
During their recent skid, the Flyers are 2-8-2 in their last 12 games. In eight of those games, including tonight, they have allowed five or more goals.
Samuel Ersson made just 15 saves before leaving after the second period with a lower body injury. He has allowed three or more goals in six of his last seven starts.
The Flyers return home to start a three game home stand on Saturday when they host the LA Kings at 12:30pm.
