Broad Street Buzz
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Flyers Can’t Sneak Past Tuukka Rask and Bruins

By Walt Gebelein

Jan 13, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hats litter the ice as Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) skates towards the bench with center Patrice Bergeron (37), left wing Brad Marchand (63), center Charlie Coyle (13) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) after scoring his third goal of the game as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) passes by during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hats litter the ice as Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) skates towards the bench with center Patrice Bergeron (37), left wing Brad Marchand (63), center Charlie Coyle (13) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) after scoring his third goal of the game as Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6) passes by during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Flyers season got no easier as they welcomed Flyer killer Tuukka Rask back to the NHL after a brief sabbatical. Rask held a 19-2-4 regular season record against the Orange and Black. Just another unbelievable twist to a strange season. The Flyers would need to help Carter Hart against the torrid Bruins offense if they hoped to escape with a win.

First Period

CF:11 CA:14 CF%: 44.0%  SF: 6 SA: 12

The Flyers gave up the lead early when Scott Laughton and Travis Sanheiim failed to connect on a simple pass in their own end. The pass eventually ended up on an unchecked Pastrnak’s stick in the slot who beat Hart to the stick side. It was not a super effort by Hart, but the turnover was exceptionably horrible.

Nick Seeler added to the Flyers early woes by taking a holding call behind the net, leading to a Bruins powerplay. An excellent pass from Brad Marchand to an uncovered Pastrnak led to a snipe into a wide open net and past Hart. Hart had no chance to make the stop and go no help from the Flyers’ penalty kill.

Moments later Ivan Provorov took a high sticking call, giving the Bruins another turn in the Carter Hart shooting gallery. Hart and the Flyers kill were able to survive the Bruins assault, who seemed more interested in getting Pastrnak his hat trick than simply scoring.

The penalty kill seemed to allow the Flyers to find their footing and the team started to generate bits of offense. They showed a little emotion after a tussle between Laughton and Taylor Hall, which gave the Flyers a power play.  It was the first signs of life for them.

The power play generated little offense and actually seemed to stop any momentum.  The period ended with the Flyers down two and without any answers for the Bruins.

Second Period

CF: 7 CA: 16 CF%: 30.4%  SF: 9 SA: 17

The Flyers started the period much the same way they finished the one prior. Looking for a boost, Zac MacEwen dropped the glove, taking on Tyler Lewington. MacEwen rocked the journeymen and won decisively. This seemed to turn the tide a bit in the Flyers favor, including an extremely rare interference call against the Bruins. Provorov was able to walk the puck in and goal and launch a shot that Atkinson was able to deflect past Rask. The Flyers trailed 2-1.

They would tie the game up on some nifty work by Joel Farabee who was able to work a give and go with Cam Atkinson. He was able to lure Rask out of position before a return feed to Farabee, who slipped it into the yawning net.

The game would not remain tied for long as the Flyers found themselves two men down courtesy of a trip by Braun and a hook by Willman. The Bruins worked the puck around the perimeter until Sanheim was interfered with in front of the net by Brad Marchand, which was ignored by the officials.  With Sanheim down and out and Hart without his stick, Pastrnak completed his hat trick with a laser shot from the high slot. The Bruins led 3-2.

The Flyers did nearly tie the game after the Bruins’ McAvoy made a carless pass that Cam Atkinson took in alone on Rask. But the Bruins goalie was able to stone the forward’s backhand attempt.  The Flyers would end the period closing the gap and trailing only by one

Third Period

CF: 12 CA: 11 CF%: 52.2%  SF: 12 SA: 7

The Flyers were able to generate some sustained zone time early in the period, but were nearly undone by moments of bad puck play in their defensive end. Hart was able to endure the pressure, making two huge saves to keep the Flyers close.

MacEwen nearly tied the game on a shot in tight that rang off the post. The Flyers followed that effort with a scrum in front of Rask where Giroux, and other Flyers, had several chances to tie the game, but were denied by the Bruins and Rask. The Flyers pressure was so great it forced the Bruins into a delay of game penalty.

The Flyers first minutes on the powerplay did not look particularly dangerous until Charlie Coyle launched the puck out of play, leading to another delay of game penalty and a two man advantage. They were unable to capitalize on the Bruins’ fouls.

With just under four minutes remaining and on the heels of the power play, Mike Yeo decided to pull Hart for the extra attacker. They controlled the puck and generated several good chances, keeping the puck for most of the time remaining.

Unfortunately it was not enough as the Bruins were able to ice the puck just as it looked they were about to break. The game would end in a 3-2 Flyers loss.

Conclusion

CF: 30 CA: 41 CF%: 42.25%  SF: 27 SA: 36

This was going to be a tough game for the Flyers under the best of circumstances, and they faced a lot of headwinds from covid and injuries, but this was an encouraging game in many aspects. Carter Hart was not perfect, but gave the team a chance to win. The team was able to generate some chances, including two breakaways, but were unable to finish.

They also conceded two powerplay goals that were dubious in premise or execution. To battle back to a team the caliber of the Bruins after a terrible first period showed there is some reason for hope.

With all the positives, the team still failed to grab a point, and the opportunity to turn around the season is slipping away. The Flyers will suit up again on Saturday against the Rangers.

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