The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Boston Bruins in the first round-robin game of the Stanley Cup Qualifiers with a score of 4-1. Philadelphia are the current leaders of the four Eastern Conference round-robin teams with two points (1-0-0 record). Here’s a recap of the Flyers-Bruins round-robin game.
Boston mostly took control of this period by sustaining a good amount of offensive pressure. They outshot Philadelphia 12-6 during this period. On the other hand, the Flyers were able to create plays to get the best possible shot while they were on a breakaway. Their power play also looked impressive even after a four-month hiatus.
The game was tied at zero going into the second period.
Boston can find ways to score but the Flyers are named the Flyers for a reason: they “fly” into the zone and score goals. Even when you don’t expect someone to score, they’ll find ways to score. Flyers forwards Michael Raffl and Nate Thompson scored goals within four minutes of each other. However, the Bruins wouldn’t go down without a fight. After Thompson’s goal, the Bruins mostly controlled the last 10 minutes or so of the period. Bruins forward Chris Wagner scored a goal with 1:09 left to cut the lead down to one. But, Flyers defenseman Philippe Myers scored just eight seconds after Wagner’s goal to extend the lead back to two.
Philadelphia went into the third period with a 3-1 lead.
Boston never seemed to recuperate after Myers’ goal as Philadelphia controlled the first half of the period. Flyers forward Scott Laughton scored the period’s only goal at the 15:53 mark of the period to extend the lead to three. Front there, it was all Philadelphia but, as mentioned earlier, Boston doesn’t go down without putting up a fight. The Bruins had great scoring chances to make a possible comeback but were unable to convert on any of them. In the end, the Flyers held onto their three-goal lead and won the game.
Philadelphia won the game 4-1.
As good as Boston is, Philadelphia was probably the sleeper team heading into the round-robin games. To clarify, the Bruins went to the Stanley Cup Finals last year in seven games against the St. Louis Blues and the Flyers defeated them 4-1. Philadelphia could possibly make some noise during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Third Star: Ivan Provorov (1 assist)
Second Star: Michael Raffl (1 goal, 1 assist)
First Star: Carter Hart (34 saves)
Philadelphia will play the Washington Capitals on Aug. 6. Boston will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Aug. 5. Times are to be announced on a future date.
