PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Boston Bruins came into their second round playoff series with the Flyers fully aware of the history making meltdown in last season’s playoff series against these same Flyers. They have had an entire year to think about what might have been had they won just one more game against Philadelphia.
Well, for one game at least, the Bruins got a small measure of satisfaction over the Flyers by winning Game One over the Flyers 7-3. It has almost been a tradition this playoff season for a Flyers goaltender to be pulled in a game. Today was no exception when Brian Boucher was pulled after allowing 5 goals on 23 shots. Sergei Bobrovsky made a return to the net since being pulled in Game One of the Buffalo Series in round one. Unfortunately for Bobrovsky it was in a triumphant one allowing two goals on ten shots.
The Bruins offense was the star of the show despite once again not scoring a goal on the power play going 0-5. They were 0-22 coming into the game. God help the Bruins opponents should they ever decide to score on one.
The Flyers poor defensive play was as much an issue as the Bruins offense. Boston spent too much time either alone in front of the Flyers net or behind a Flyers defender for a goal. Only David Krejci scored more than once on Boucher (twice) but in the end it didn’t matter who scored for the Bruins. They now have a 1-0 series lead, just like they did last year on the Flyers but this time the Flyers have home ice advantage. If the Bruins come out Monday night and win Game Two you can bet this much. The Bruins won’t allow a historic collapse two seasons in a row.
Danny Briere and James Van Riemsdyk kept up their scoring ways for the Flyers scoring their seventh and fifth goals of the playoffs respectively. Briere now leads the league in playoff goal scoring. Mike Richards finally got on the board as well with his first goal of the playoffs.
Still, the Bruins made the Flyers look ordinary who will have to adjust their game accordingly. The Flyers slow starts once again killed their chances in Game One. With the exception of Game Seven against the Sabres the Flyers have not scored the first goal of the game. Despite tying the Game at 1-1 midway through the first period, the Flyers allowed a goal with 35.7 seconds in the first period and allowed the next three goals in the second period before the Flyers for a 5-1 lead before the Flyers responded.
The Flyers paid the price for allowing the Bruins to have their way all game long. It could be a quick series if Boston takes Game Two. The Flyers are 15-20 in a series when they lose Game One. The way they played in Game One, they better pray someone doesn’t called blackjack.
Contact the author at Brian.Jennings@prohockeynews.com
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