Takeaways: Flyers Jolt Bruins, Take HUGE Step Toward Playoffs

The tight-checking gives game a playoff feel

The game had a playoff feel because there were not many wide-open, Grade-A chances. The checking was tight. Space was at a premium.

With a lot of the game played in the neutral zone, it was a grind-it-out affair, and you got the feeling special teams would play a huge part in determining the outcome. Midway through the game, it was scoreless, and the teams had combined for a combined 18 shots — 10 by the B’s, eight by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Flyers rookie goalie Sam Ersson kept it scoreless as he stopped former teammate James van Riemsdyk from the doorstep (twice) with 10:43 to go in the second. It was a rare scoring flurry in a game that had few quality chances.

But Konecny’s power-play goal broke the scoreless tie. The Flyers nearly made it 2-0, but Ullmark stopped Scott Laughton a breakaway with 25 seconds remaining in the second period.

In the first 40 minutes, the Flyers had a 13-12 shots edge.

Sean Couturier looked solid as he returned to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in the previous two games.

The Flyers’ captain, who had never before been scratched in his career, probably save a goal in the first period as he broke up a pass that would have led to a Boston mini-breakaway.

Couturier centered a fourth line, one that had Noah Cates and Olle Lycksell as his wingers. The line took the opening faceoff, and Couturier received a loud ovation as he was announced to the crowd. Cates drew a high-sticking penalty against Andrew Peeke that set up Konecny’s goal.

All told, Couturier’s line played good defense and generated some offense.

The ‘Scary Seven’ continues Sunday with another tough opponent.

The Flyers will host Florida (45-20-4) on Sunday at 6 p.m. The Panthers, who play the Rangers on Saturday night, are among the teams battling for the NHL’s top overall record.

In their current seven-game span against the Eastern Conference’s toughest teams, the Flyers are a commendable 2-2-1.

Philly is 2-0 vs. the Panthers this season, winning a pair of 2-1 decisions in Florida.

Breakaways

After a six-game scoring drought that followed an injury, Konecny has goals in back-to-back games. … With about 16 minutes left in the first, Foerster ripped a shot off the left post. …. Midway through the first period, David Pasternak fired wide of a one-timer from the left circle with Ersson out of position. … Flyers’ scratched players: Cam Atkinson, Nic Deslauriers, Denis Gurianov, and Marc Staal.