The Philadelphia Flyers (27-21-11) didn’t generate much offense on Saturday, but they did just enough to bring home a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins (33-21-5) at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The Flyers registered just 17 shots on the Boston cage – 16 on Jeremy Swayman – but Dan Vladař’s heroics at the other end gave them an opportunity to capitalize on the few chances they had. The Czech Olympian made 26 saves and was far and away the best Flyer on the ice.
“He’s just had a great year for us. You know, another outstanding effort from him.” said Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet postgame.
Vladař continues to improve on a career season, now sporting a .907 SV% and 2.42 GAA to accompany his 18-9-6 record. The Flyers have picked up valuable points in the standings in four of Vladař’s last five outings as well dating back to January 31st (2-1-2).
FIRST PERIOD
Score: 0-0
Shots: 7-6 PHI
The Flyers racked up a couple quality scoring chances early. Owen Tippett flew in for a shot that Swayman swallowed up and later on, while on the power play, Trevor Zegras fed Bobby Brink for a one-timer that Swayman got a piece of with the blocker, robbing him of a sure goal.
Boston raced down the ice a few minutes later on a 2-on-1 and Mikey Eyssimont’s backhander was denied by the glove of Vladař on their first high quality look at the net.
With 11:27 left on the clock, Nicolas Deslauriers and Tanner Jeannot dropped the gloves, with both heavyweights landing some solid punches. Jeannot seemed to have the edge in the tilt and both players headed to the box to serve their fighting majors.
Another Flyers power play saw Travis Konecny fire a shot from down low that Swayman slid across to stop with 7:38 to play off a great setup from Zegras.
Both goalies were perfect after twenty minutes, with Swayman especially standing on his head.
SECOND PERIOD
Score: 0-0
Shots: 22-10 BOS
The Flyers caught a huge break on an early Boston power play as Morgan Geekie shot the puck behind the net while it was wide open. Just a few minutes later at even strength, Geekie had another goal taken away but this time by the outstretched right pad of Vladař. With 11:40 to play in the period, David Pastrňák spotted Geekie driving to the net and delivered a beautiful cross-ice pass for a close shot. The result? Another glorious stop for Vladař.
Not even a minute later, Christian Dvorak was robbed by Swayman with the glove as he flew in to try and jam home a loose puck at the doorstep after a shot attempt from Zegras. Both goalies were coming up huge in this game.
Despite having grade-A chances at the net, the Flyers weren’t generating much in shots and also spent a fair amount of time in the penalty box. Including a carry-over penalty from late in the first, Boston had three second period power plays and it almost seemed inevitable that they would find twine on at least one of them. Fortunately, Vladař was up to the task and kept things under control for Philadelphia.
Vladař was so impressive, especially as the period wound down, that the fans behind him gave him an ovation for his heroics.
“The fans have been awesome the whole year,” said Vladař after the game. “You know, we really feel that they have our back. I’ve said it so many times, we just don’t want to waste this opportunity, and we want to play well, especially for them, especially for ourselves, you know? So, you know, great job by them and we wouldn’t be here without them for sure.”
The Flyers were outshot in the second period by a 16-3 margin, with Vladař erasing every single Boston shot he saw.
THIRD PERIOD
Score: 3-1 PHI
Shots: 27-17 BOS
The Flyers finally broke the ice just 3:41 into the final frame as the puck took a funny hop towards the net after a Dvorak dump-in caromed off the glass. Dvorak followed the puck and beautifully set up a streaking Konecny for the game’s first goal.
Philadelphia then doubled their lead with 8:05 to play after Konecny spotted Jamie Drysdale in the slot, who was left all alone as he rocketed a shot blocker-side on Swayman for his sixth tally of the season.
The Bruins would respond to the Drysdale goal in short order as Charlie McAvoy drove to the net after a Pavel Zacha faceoff win to Hampus Lindholm. Lindholm’s point shot was deflected home by McAvoy and the Flyers’ lead was cut in half with 6:57 to go.
Thanks to Vladař, the Flyers held off the Bruins’ attempt at a late comeback and they eventually iced the game with 52.8 seconds remaining as Sean Couturier ended his 32-game goal drought with a relieving empty-netter.
3 STARS OF THE GAME: 1) Dan Vladař – PHI, 2) Travis Konecny – PHI, 3) Christian Dvorak – PHI
UP NEXT
The Flyers head north of the border to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (24-27-9) at Scotiabank Arena on Monday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30pm ET.
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