Ugh. What went wrong? A 4-2 lead in the second period should translate to a win, right? Apparently not. Though Stephen Pettigrew's win probability model had the Bruins win probability hovering at around 90% coming into the first period, the Flyers took the game - and the extra point - 5-4 in overtime. Let's go to the highlights.
HIGHLIGHTS
Giroux's OT goal seals the deal
HIGHLIGHTS
Giroux's OT goal seals the deal
Claude Giroux skates around the rink before a game. Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports.
Claude Giroux played an incredible game against the Bruins and his play during the third period and overtime is the main reason why the Bruins lost against the Flyers. With the Flyers down 4-2, Giroux sparked the comeback after a giveaway by Tuukka Rask and Kevan Miller led to a wide-open Giroux cutting the Bruins' lead to one. Then, while the Flyers were on a power play in overtime, Giroux hammered the puck past a hapless Tuukka Rask for the goal. Yikes.
Mark Streit Notches Three Assists
Swiss veteran Mark Streit was another key part of the comeback, assisting on Giroux's first goal, the game-tying goal from Wayne Simmonds, and Giroux's game-winner in OT. He got all of those assists by making smart plays and was arguably a very big part of Philadelphia's win.
Bergeron Scores Goal, Assist on Night of Son's Birth
Patrice Bergeron almost didn't play against Philadelphia for personal reasons: the birth of his son Zack. On the night of Zack's birth, 'Bergy' scored a goal and assisted on Brett Connolly's first goal as a Bruin. Bergeron scored his goal by whacking his own rebound out of midair and into the net during a power play. The Bruins power play conversion rate is now at a league-high 38.1%.
Kelly Nets SHG
Chris Kelly scored what could've been the game-winning goal if not for Philly's comeback while on the penalty kill, raising the Bruins' shorthanded goals total to 2: another league-leading total. Zdeno Chara made a pass to Loui Eriksson, who was waiting at the blueline. He rushed into the neutral zone with Chris Kelly, creating a surprise opportunity for the Bruins. After Eriksson passed to Kelly, Kelly fought off the defending Michael Raffl and fired a shot through the pads of Steve Mason, who had just replaced Michal Neuvirth
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
Mark Streit Notches Three Assists
Swiss veteran Mark Streit was another key part of the comeback, assisting on Giroux's first goal, the game-tying goal from Wayne Simmonds, and Giroux's game-winner in OT. He got all of those assists by making smart plays and was arguably a very big part of Philadelphia's win.
Bergeron Scores Goal, Assist on Night of Son's Birth
Patrice Bergeron almost didn't play against Philadelphia for personal reasons: the birth of his son Zack. On the night of Zack's birth, 'Bergy' scored a goal and assisted on Brett Connolly's first goal as a Bruin. Bergeron scored his goal by whacking his own rebound out of midair and into the net during a power play. The Bruins power play conversion rate is now at a league-high 38.1%.
Kelly Nets SHG
Chris Kelly scored what could've been the game-winning goal if not for Philly's comeback while on the penalty kill, raising the Bruins' shorthanded goals total to 2: another league-leading total. Zdeno Chara made a pass to Loui Eriksson, who was waiting at the blueline. He rushed into the neutral zone with Chris Kelly, creating a surprise opportunity for the Bruins. After Eriksson passed to Kelly, Kelly fought off the defending Michael Raffl and fired a shot through the pads of Steve Mason, who had just replaced Michal Neuvirth
THREE STARS OF THE BRUINS
- Patrice Bergeron - A goal and an assist on the night your son is born has to be special.
- David Krejci - Two more assists has Krejci at the top of the NHL leaderboard with 11 points.
- Brett Connolly - Connolly scored his first goal as a Bruin against the Flyers. Before his goal, Connolly had been firing blanks with six shots in four games but no goals.