Flyers One Step Closer to Playoffs With Big OT Win Over Bruins

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The Flyers on Sunday inched closer to securing a playoff berth following a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Bruins at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Flyers extended their margin to eight points over the Panthers, who have played two fewer games.

Claude Giroux scored the game-winner with 1:21 remaining in overtime, his career-high 29th goal of the season and second of the game. The Flyers' captain established a new personal best with 95 points.

Travis Konecny and Nolan Patrick also added goals for the Flyers, who never trailed in the game. 

David Pastrnak, Noel Acciari and Patrice Bergeron scored for the Bruins.

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The Flyers play their final road game of the season Tuesday when they take on the Islanders at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Two-goal turnaround in seven seconds
The entire complexion of the first period hinged on a seven-second span as Petr Mrazek made a miraculous glove save on fellow Czech Pastrnak that would have given the Bruins a 1-0 lead. On the other end, Konecny set up Giroux's one-timer that beat Anton Khudobin for the goal. Giroux did a terrific job of adjusting as Konecny's pass came at Giroux's back skate and the Flyers' captain had to make an adjustment on his off wing just to get a decent shot on net.

Konecny's wizardry
Mrazek's save of the year nominee was perhaps topped by Konecny's goal of the year nominee. Konecny's 24th goal of the season completely made Bergeron, the three-time Selke Trophy winner, look completely silly. Credit a combination of Konecny's terrific hands and elusiveness to work and weave between three Bruins defenders and then beating Khudobin between the legs. 

A big second-period momentum swing
The Flyers had an opportunity to take a commanding 3-0 lead as Konecny was able to break in all alone on Khudobin but then decided to unselfishly pass to Giroux. A bad decision on Konecny's part as the Flyers never generated a shot. Approximately a minute later, the Flyers coughed up the puck in the neutral zone, which led to a Bruins goal, as Acciari fired a seed top shelf that beat Mrazek for the Bruins' first goal.

Hagg for Gudas? 
Radko Gudas had a bad second period highlighted by his horrific turnover right on the stick in the middle of the ice to Boston's Ryan Donato, who seemed surprised to get the puck right in front of Mrazek. Gudas was also flat-footed in his own end on the Acciari goal, which leaves me wondering when do we see Robert Hagg instead of Gudas. Hagg can play the right side and has been better defensively than Gudas if Dave Hakstol elects to keep Brandon Manning in the lineup. 

Bruins owned puck possession 
At even strength, the Bruins may be the best team in the Eastern Conference in the way they pursue and pressure the puck without breaking down defensively. They had a lopsided advantage in shot totals and possession time. The Flyers were more opportunistic (see Patrick's goal below) and they have to feel good that they played two solid games against the Bruins over the past month.

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