Flyers Fall to Bruins, Playoffs in Jeopardy
The Flyers took the ice for the second of a home and home with the Bruins and fell short 4-2 to the boys from Boston. After rallying from 2-0 down to tie it 2-2 in the second the Flyers could not find a winner and unfortunately, Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins did. Bergeron netted a hat trick against the Flyers, extending the Bruins lead to 5 points ahead of the Flyers with a game in hand as well. This was a must-win game for the orange and black and unfortunately, it did not go their way.
The Bruins started the game fast, trying to erase a 3-2 OT loss on Monday night, and things got chippy fast between the two teams. The last game ended with some chippy play from the Bruins bench after Sanheim netted the winner. Tonight, Bergeron came out and scored two in the first period, including one on the power play. Brad Marchand had an assist on both of the first-period Bergeron goals. The Flyers applied some pressure on their own but could not find a goal in the first period.
The Flyers came out with energy to start the second period and found two quick goals to erase the 2-0 deficit they faced entering the frame. Jakub Voracek found the net off of a beautiful pass from Travis Konecny to cut the lead to 2-1 1:33 into the period, and then Shayne Gostisbehere ripped the bar down to tie the game 2:30 after the Voracek goal. The Flyers carried this momentum throughout the period and dominated the game, looking like they would find the lead. Unfortunately, they could not capitalize and they went to the final period locked 2 all.
With the season on the line and the game tied, the Flyers needed to make a push for the regulation win badly, and were given a chance when a penalty on Miller of the Bruins gave the Flyers a chance on the power play. However, one of the sloppiest power plays I have ever seen, which is saying something considering this season for the Flyers, lead to a 2-1 for the Bruins and Marchand put the puck 5 hole on Carter Hart to give the Bruins the 3-1 lead. The Flyers tried to push for an equalizer but could not find one and Bergeron eventually put the puck into the empty net to end the game 4-2 for Boston.
Simply put the Flyers did not have enough tonight, which has become a very common theme for them. A team this talented should not be falling out of the playoff picture this early into a season, especially following the success the team had last year going into the bubble. Wins against the Bruins tonight and Saturday could have propelled this team back into the race, but unfortunately, they could not do that. With the trade deadline approaching Monday, it will be interesting to see how GM Chuck Fletcher approaches it, my guess is they will not make many moves, especially after tonight. All hope is not lost, as the Flyers play at the Islanders on Thursday and at home vs the Bruins on Saturday, which are absolute must-wins for Philly.