Flyers Handed Heartbreaking Last-Second Loss in Boston

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

Anything can happen in overtime, and despite being badly outplayed in the third period, the Flyers were on their way to one point in the standings with a chance at a second in the free-for-all 3-on-3. And then some bad karma struck again in Boston.

Two seasons ago, the Flyers coughed up a lead late and lost in overtime in a game that ultimately derailed their playoff chances. With their playoff chances this season clinging to life support, a shot from the boards by Drew Stafford hit Brandon Manning's stick and went in with 5.6 seconds left, sealing a 2-1 win for the Bruins on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

The first period involved the usual physicality that comes with Flyers-Bruins meetings and plenty of chances on both sides. The Flyers had a 5-on-3 for 1:43, but couldn't solve Tuukka Rask despite seven shots while on the man-advantage.

The Bruins had two power plays in the period, and struck on their second late in the period. A dump-in by Torey Krug went behind the net and Brad Marchand used a good hustle play to force a turnover from Andrew MacDonald. The puck went to Patrice Bergeron, who wasted no time centering to David Pastrnak in the slot. Pastrnak's quick release beat Steve Mason and gave the Bruins the lead with 1:22 to play in the first.

The Flyers outshot the Bruins, 14-11, in the first, but trailed after 20 minutes.

Early in the second, the Flyers put the pressure on and tied the game. A shot by Claude Giroux was stopped by Rask but sat just outside the crease. With Rask sprawling to keep the puck out, Wayne Simmonds managed to move the puck into the crease and Jordan Weal was waiting to poke it in to tie the game with his third goal of the season at 1:27. The Bruins challenged the play for offside, but the call on the ice stood.

A methodical third period by both teams saw the Bruins with the greater push, taking the first seven shots of the period. The Flyers didn't register a shot on goal in the third until there was 7:33 to play.

Just when it appeared the game was heading to overtime, the hockey gods snatched a point away from the Flyers. Stafford entered the zone in the closing seconds, looking to just get the puck deep to guarantee overtime. He floated a shot on goal that hit the stick of Manning and deflected past Mason with 5.6 seconds to play, sealing the Flyers fate.

Mason had been stellar in the third, making 11 saves before the unfortunate bounce. The Flyers finished the third period with just four shots. Rask made 26 saves for the win.

The Flyers are back on the ice on Monday night, as they return home to face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• BOS David Pastrnak (28) PP (Patrice Bergeron, Torey Krug) 18:38

2nd Period

• PHI Jordan Weal (3) (Wayne Simmonds, Claude Giroux) 1:27

3rd Period

• BOS Drew Stafford (6) (Kevan Miller) 19:54

Game Statistics