Bruins blank Flyers, win third straight
At this rate, the Bruins might try to petition the NHL to have more afternoon games this season (something they had struggled with in the recent past). Boston (16-3-3) improved to 4-0-0 in matinees thanks to an easy 3-0 win over lifeless Philadelphia (11-14-1) on Saturday afternoon at TD Garden. The B’s won their third straight game overall as Tuukka Rask (12-2-3) made 23 saves for his 13th career shutout (2nd this season).
If you were in the bathroom or waiting in the endless concession stand lines during the first period, you were completely out of luck since the Bruins scored all three goals in a span of 2:18. Tyler Seguin opened the scoring with a power-play goal off a one-timer from Milan Lucic’s sweet backhand pass. Chris Kelly made it 2-0 with an assist from newly called up Jordan Caron and Daniel Paille got behind the Flyers defense for a backhander.
That was really it in terms of notable action since other than Shawn Thornton taking exception to a high (but legal) hit by Zac Rinaldo on Johnny Boychuk and dropping the gloves in the second period, this wasn’t an instant classic unless you enjoy tight defensive zone coverage, forechecking and few quality scoring chances. Philadelphia has been one of the NHL’s biggest disappointments so far this and this was its third straight loss. They fell to 4-10-0 on the road which makes you wonder how they spend their nights before games.
Boston won’t return to the Garden until next Thursday when they welcome the Panthers. The Bruins will be at the Senators on Monday (7:30 p.m, NESN) and at the Penguins on Tuesday (7:30 p.m., NESN), a very tough back-to-back.
Follow Metro Boston Bruins beat writer Richard Slate on Twitter: @RichSlate
