BSJ Game Report: Flyers 6, Bruins 5 (SO) - Secondary scoring breaks through, but B’s collapse in Philly

Everything you need to know from the Bruins’ 6-5 shootout loss to the Flyers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

Box Score

HEADLINES: 

Secondary scoring breaking through... : Midway through the second period of Monday’s matchup against the Flyers, five different Bruins skaters had already registered multi-point performances. But in a refreshing change of pace, none of the five were the B’s usual suspects in Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak. In a wild back-and-forth matchup on Broad Street, it was Boston’s second and third lines that did most of the heavy lifting — combining for 10 points to help build what was a 5-2 lead for the Bruins at one point in the middle frame. 

After some up-and-down games together, Boston’s other top-six grouping of David Krejci, Anders Bjork and Jake DeBrusk clicked — tallying three goals and six total points as a unit. Danton Heinen also had a promising outing back in his usual spot on the third line with Charlie Coyle, finishing the night with a pair of assists, including a set up on a Krejci tally while skating with Boston’s second power-play unit. 

Much as we saw last year during Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup Final, if the second and third lines can settle into a groove offensively and support the 63-37-88 group, the Bruins’ offense can be a buzzsaw — even at 5v5 play.

… But Boston’s defense falters: Unfortunately, Boston’s secondary scoring will not be the main focus from Monday’s matchup, as the B’s once again choked away a three-goal lead in what was ultimately a 6-5 shootout victory for the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Postgame, Bruce Cassidy called Boston’s defense “unprofessional” down the stretch, and that might be putting it lightly — as the Flyers erased what was a commanding 5-2 Bruins lead in just 19:46 of ice time. 

It was a perfect storm of a late-game collapse from the Bruins — with Jaroslav Halak surrendering a softy at 13:12 in the second, a shot from Connor Bunnaman ricocheting all over the crease before bouncing home less than two minutes later and Travis Sanheim securing the equalizer at 12:58 in the third after a putrid defensive effort from Boston. Once again, Boston made things hard on itself in a game it should have easily put away — culminating in what was the club’s seventh shootout loss in as many attempts this season. The Bruins have a chance to bounce back on Tuesday against Columbus, but they will take no solace in tonight’s loser point.

THREE UP



Krejci Line: It’s hard to single out just one player in this trio, as all three impressed down both ends of the ice in the early going of this one. Bjork’s increased strength on the puck continues to play a key role in his promising development this season. DeBrusk has been heating up as of late (three goals, seven points in last four games), but his defensive play might be the most encouraging piece of his recent surge. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216877904719753218

Danton Heinen: Monday was a strong response from Heinen, who has strung together a couple of encouraging outings whenever the Heinen-Coyle-Ritchie trio has been deployed over the last couple of weeks. After securing his 100th career point with the primary helper on a Krejci power-play tally, Heinen set up Charlie Coyle with a sweet feed at 4:50 in the second. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216892410749423617

Zdeno Chara: The B’s captain hit a major milestone on Monday, becoming just the sixth player in franchise history to play 1,000 career games with Boston — joining Ray Bourque, Johnny Bucyk, Patrice Bergeron, Don Sweeney, and Wayne Cashman. Chara logged 21:02 of ice time in the loss to go along with a block. 

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THREE DOWN

Jaroslav Halak: Another shaky showing from Halak, who has now posted a save percentage of just .900 over his last nine games. He rebounded with some great stops in overtime and in the shootout, but he left much to be desired during regulation play. 

Team Defense: Much like the offensive contributions from the middle six, it’s tough to single out just one player in what was a brutal defensive showing from the B’s in a game that should have been an easy two points. Halak may not have been great, but the netminder was often doomed by poor layers in front of him all night long. The lack of bodies at the net-front area on this tying goal from Sanheim is … concerning. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216910574522597378

Brad Marchand: Marchand’s whiff on Boston’s final shootout attempt of the night was a fitting way to close this one out, but the winger was also nowhere to be found on the Flyers’ game-tying goal in the third period. Bad look for Coyle as well on that sequence. 

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216917017166602241

PLAY OF THE GAME

A sweet move from Anders Bjork — one that he likely wouldn’t have been able to make in his first few years up in the NHL:

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216877157340925952

PARTING THOUGHT

Ah, Philly. Never change, you gem.

https://twitter.com/ConorRyan_93/status/1216891846762344448

LOOKING AHEAD

The Bruins will close out their three-game road trip on Tuesday, as Boston will wrap up a back-to-back slate against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Tuukka Rask will get the start in net for the Bruins, with puck drop set for 7 p.m