A goal 31 seconds into the game and 54 shots on net weren't enough for the Flyers to win tonight as the Bruins grabbed a 2-0 series lead heading into Boston. Tim Thomas had 52 saves on the night including 32 in the third period and overtime. David Krejci scored his third goal of the series 14 minutes into overtime while James van Riemsdyk had a two-goal night as the Flyers look to win both games in Boston to even the series at two.
A strong start was something the Flyers lacked last game. This game the Flyers dictated play early.
Claude Giroux usually has flawless passing, but his assist to JVR within the first minute wasn't too pretty. Flubbing a pass from the inside part of the circle to Thomas's left, Giroux put the puck on JVR's stick, who put home the opening goal 29 seconds into the game.
Flustered by the early goal, Thomas received a delay of game penalty for whacking a puck in midair over the glass. The Flyers couldn't capitalize on the man advantage, but the Bruins didn't take advantage of their power play shortly after thanks to a Jody Shelley boarding call.
The power play has been a weak spot for both teams, but the Flyers took advantage with their second man advantage in the game. With Gregory Campbell sitting in the box for holding Daniel Carcillo, JVR registered his second goal of the game to give the Flyers a two-goal lead 9:31 into the game.
The Bruins didn't trail by two for long as Chris Kelly scored 3:19 after JVR's second goal. With Michael Ryder providing a healthy screen inches in front of Boucher, Kelly banged home a rebound to cut the deficit to one. Unfortunately, the Bruins tied the game shortly after.
One would think Thomas or Zdeno Chara would be the Flyers' biggest pain throughout the series. So far, it has been Brad Marchand. Only 1:25 after Kelly's goal, Marchand ripped a wrist shot past Boucher to tie the game at two. The result of the Flyers' quick start had quickly vanished.
Both teams nearly scored later in the period as a Kimmo Timonen shot was blocked and led to a Daniel Paille breakaway from center ice that Boucher responded to with a left leg pad save.
The remaining time in the period went scoreless resulting in a 2-2 tie at the end of the first with the Bruins out shooting Philly 16-14.
The first half of the middle period saw a lot of offensive pressure from the Bruins. Boucher was able to keep all the shots he faced in the period out of his net, but he left the game a lower body injury. Making his second relief appearance in the series, Sergei Bobrovsky came in to finish out the remaining time in the period.
Stepping in and making crucial saves late in the period, Bobrovsky helped the Flyers hold the score at 2-2 despite being grossly out played for the entire second period.
The Flyers started off the third period on the penalty kill as Scott Hartnell still had 27 seconds left in his slashing minor and Boucher back in net.
Killing off the rest of the penalty, the Flyers dictated the first half of the third period shooting 13 of the first 16 shots in the period. Countless odd man rushes led by JVR almost gave Philly their second lead of the night.
Dominating the entire third period, the Flyers came close to getting the game-winning goal late in the game, but the game was tied at two after 60 minutes. Danny Briere just missed putting home a rebound with only seconds left in the game allowing the Bruins to have a chance to head back to Boston with a 2-0 series lead.
After more and more domination in overtime, obviously the Bruins would receive the satisfaction of winning deep into the extra period. Despite having his team out shot 10-3 in overtime, Krejci bailed out his teammates with a wrist shot from the slot to give his team the 3-2 win in overtime.
JVR had two goals tonight, but he could have easily had a hat-trick. With several chances throughout, JVR came close multiple times to giving his team the game-winning goal in the third period. He had the second most shots on the night behind Mike Richards (10).
Although they were greatly out played in the second period, the Flyers dominated the third period and overtime. Unfortunately, Thomas played an amazing game making 22 saves in the third period and another 10 in overtime. His performance was highlighted with stoning JVR multiple times and stopping a Briere breakaway chance.
The Flyers look to receive a better fate in Game 3 which takes place 7:00 pm on Wednesday.
Notes: The Flyers are 2-4 in Game 2's against Boston in the playoffs. The Flyers are 2-4 at home in the 2011 playoffs (2-2-2). The Flyers have been out scored in all three periods in the series. The Flyers are 1-2 in overtime games in the 2011 playoffs; they're 0-2 at home. The Flyers are now 3-4 against the Bruins in games that go to overtime in the playoffs. JVR's goal was the fastest Flyers' goal in the 2011 playoffs. JVR has scored in five straight games. This is JVR's first multi-goal game since his hat-trick against the Islanders on March 26th. The Bruins' are now 0-for-28 on the power play in the 2011 playoffs. The second period in tonight's game was the first scoreless period in the series. The Flyers out shot the Bruins 32-12 in the third period and overtime. The Flyers are 2-4 in games without Chris Pronger in the 2011 playoffs.
