BSJ Game Report: Bruins 3, Flyers 0 -- First shutout for Rask, goal for Spooner

PHILADELPHIA — Everything you need to know about the Bruins' win over the Flyers.

HEADLINES

Rolling: The Bruins have won six of the last seven games. Boston received goals from Ryan Spooner, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. It also helped that David Krejci and Anders Bjork returned to the lineup. Boston’s penalty kill was also a difference-maker with a perfect 6-for-6.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937039447517990914

Stonewall: Tuukka Rask finished with 28 saves to post his first shutout of the season and 39^th of his career. He wasn’t challenged too often, but he did make a few timely saves. It was his third consecutive start and second win in a row. “Tuukka looked as comfortable as I’ve seen him all year,” said Bruce Cassidy said. “He was efficient in the net.”

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937040649114783749

Getting healthy means tough decisions: The Bruins nearly had an entirely healthy lineup: just need Jake DeBrusk and Adam McQuaid to get healthy. DeBrusk likely will return against the Predators on Monday at Nashville. With Krejci back, Cassidy decided to keep the top line of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and Pastrnak together. Spooner and Bjork were on the wings with Krejci. Danton Heinen played with Riley Nash and David Backes. That line brings grit and an offensive threat. It was also a case of the veterans setting the tone and the rookies following.

TURNING POINT



Don't make him mad: Marchand played like someone kicked his dog. He’s been dealing with concussion issues this season and he took exception after the Flyers’ Ivan Provorov was only given a two-minute penalty for illegal check to the head at 15:37 of the first period. Marchand was slow to get to his feet and went directly to the locker room. Fortunately for the Bruins, he returned to start the second and turned up the energy level a bit and finished with a goal and assist.

THREE UP

Ryan Spooner: Posted his first goal of the season. It was a perfect inside position net drive attack that led to the goal. When he uses his foot speed effectively, like he did on the goal, he has the potential to be an offensive threat.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937027342198890499

Torey Krug: He’s been playing well of late. He’s been controlling the play and finished with a plus-1.

Kevan Miller: Since the Flyers entered this game with a nine-game losing skid it was only a matter of time before someone dropped the gloves. At 8:29 of the first period, the Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds asked Miller to go and he accepted. It was a spirited bout.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937024926443298821

TWO DOWN

Ivan Provorov: After watching the hit on Marchand during the first intermission, I’m still shocked Provorov wasn’t ejected from the game. It was a textbook hit to the head, the type of hits the league wants out.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/937028326560075777

The Flyers: Is it time for a coaching change in Philadelphia? The Flyers have lost 10 straight and are playing uninspired hockey. Maybe it’s time to call up Lehigh Valley head coach Scott Gordon.

NOT ON THE SCORE SHEET

No-go: The Flyers thought they had scored at 19:01 of the second period. Cassidy decided to challenge the play, citing Simmonds had interfered with Rask before the puck crossed the goal line. It was the right decision and the goal was overturned in Boston’s favor. It also secured the shutout for Rask.

https://twitter.com/FlyersNation/status/937044194610180096

UP NEXT

The two-game road trip continues as the Bruins head to Nashville to face the Predators on Monday night at Bridgestone Arena. Anton Khudobin will start for the Bruins.