Photo courtesy of Kate Frese
PHILADELPHIA — Any thoughts of a three-game winning streak for the Flyers were quelled on Saturday, as they lost 3-1 to the Boston Bruins.
David Pastrnak scored the first two goals of the game for the Bruins, opening the scoring at the 11:23 mark of the first period. He also scored less than five minutes into the third period to give the Bruins a 2-0 advantage. Those two markers were the first of the 18-year-old Czech rookie's career, as he was playing in just his seventh NHL game.
After Chris Kelly's fifth goal of the season — a shorthanded tally — Claude Giroux made it a 3-1 game at the 14:13 mark of the third stanza. The goal was Giroux's 14th this season, while Mark Streit and Jakub Voracek notched their 24th and 34th assists, respectively.
The Flyers (16-19-7) sustained a significant scare early on, as Steve Mason left the game with a lower-body injury with 12:53 to play in the first period. Mason made what looked like a routine pad save on a bouncing Craig Cunningham shot, and stayed on the ice for a few moments. He left the ice under his own power but did not return, having made five saves on five shots.
Ray Emery made 10 saves on 13 shots in relief of Mason, finishing the rest of the game. Whether or not the Flyers recall Rob Zepp remains to be seen — it seems like common sense to do so — but it won't be easy, as he and the Phantoms are currently in Newfoundland for a back-to-back set against the St. John's IceCaps.
Tuukka Rask finished with a steady 24 saves on 25 shots, improving his all-time regular season record against the Orange and Black to 8-1-1.
The Flyers looked to take advantage of a middling Bruins penalty kill — which entered the game ranking 16th in the league on the road — and finished 1-for-6. The Bruins (22-15-6) were able to capitalize on one of four Flyers penalties.
Saturday's game was one the Flyers was crucial, in order to gain ground in the Eastern Conference's wild card race. A win in their next game will come at a premium, as the Tampa Bay Lightning — tied for the league's lead in points — come to town.
The Flyers next face the Lightning on Monday night at 7:05 to close out their four-game homestand.
Rob Riches is a contributor to Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Riches61.
