Unable to protect third period leads of 2-0 and 3-2, the Philadelphia Flyers had to rally late just to get the game to overtime. Philly dominated the OT session but couldn't find a game-winning goal. Finally, the Boston Bruins prevailed via shootout, 5-4 (1-0).
James van Riemsdyk notched even strength and power play goals for the Flyers (2nd and 3rd goals of the season), while Jakub Voracek collected three assists and the 700-point mark for his NHL career. Philadelphia also got goals from Claude Giroux (power play, 1st) and Travis Sanheim (1st). Held at bay for two periods, the Bruins exploded for a 22-shot barrage in the third period that included goals by Jack Studnicka (1st NHL goal), Charlie Coyle (1st), Nick Ritchie (power play, 2nd) and Brandon Carlo (1st).
In overtime, the Flyers had all the better of the play and it took five saves by Tuukka Rask, including a 10-bell stop on Voracek, to bring about the skills competition. In the shootout, only Jake DeBrusk in the top of the third round scored for either side. Voracek, Travis Konecny and Claude Giroux were the Philadelphia shooters.
Hart played an outstanding game for two periods, especially in the opening frame. By his own admission, Coyle's turnaround shot goal through the five-hole that tied the score at 2-2 was one he'd like back. Overall, though, Hart gave the Flyers a chance to win. He finished with 39 saves on 43 shots in regulation (no shots faced in OT) and two of three in the shootout.
Rask stopped 22 of 26 shots in regulation and OT. He went 3-for-3 in the shootout.
Entering the game, the Bruins had not scored an even strength goal through their first three matches. It took them two-plus periods but the Bruins bagged three goals at five-on-five in the third period. Meanwhile, Boston did not allow any opposing power play goals heading into this game but the Flyers went 2-for-5 and also scored one (JVR's first of the game) just after a power play expired.
Nolan Patrick won 10 of 12 faceoffs in this game and also earned a secondary assist on the Sanheim goal. The rest of the Flyers collectively won just 13 of 50. Scott Laughton went 1-for-10, Claude Giroux 5-for-15, and Kevin Hayes 5-for-16. Patrice Bergeron and Krejci were a combined 26-for-41 for the Bruins.
For the second straight contest, the Flyers played much of this game with only five defensemen. Mark Friedman fell face-first to the ice in the second period after jostling for position with Brad Marchand. Friedman bled profusely before leaving the ice. After his face-plant on the ice, Friedman was held out of the rest of the game for precautionary reasons per head coach Alain Vigneault.
For period-by-period analysis, stats and highlights from Thursday night's game, see the
Postgame 5 on the Flyers' official website.
The Flyers and Bruins will rematch at TD Garden on Saturday evening.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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