Bruins Fall to Flyers in Overtime As Homestand Comes to Close

BOSTON - Karson Kuhlman and Patrice Bergeron scored but the Bruins fell to the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, in overtime on Monday night at TD Garden. Philadelphia tied the game early in the third with a power-play tally from Sean Couturier and won it on Travis Sanheim's overtime marker at 3:08 of the extra session.
"There were some good things. We took a lead into the third. We took a bad penalty. Same guy. Similar type penalty," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of Jeremy Lauzon's hooking penalty - his second of the night - that led to the tying goal. "Going to have to do a better job with his 1-on-1s and we're going to have to do a better job identifying what you can get away with. That's been an issue.
"That hurt us obviously. It was the only chance we gave up in the third period. Found the back of the net. Good shot through a screen. Unfortunately, overtime, we had a couple pucks on our stick that we weren't able to get to the net or get past the goalie and they did."

The loss marked Boston's first of the season against Philadelphia (5-0-1) and trimmed the B's lead over the Flyers for the final playoff spot in the East Division to three points. The teams meet again on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center.
"The whole locker room wanted two points, so a little bit disappointed," said Daniel Vladar, who made 29 saves on 32 shots in his fourth career start. "But we play those guys tomorrow, so I think we're going to come back."

Vladar Impresses Again

Vladar continues to impress with each opportunity he gets, as he delivered with a number of highlight-reel stops against the Flyers. The young netminder, looking poised and controlled, stoned Philly with a stellar combo of saves in the second period, making one stop at the right post on Claude Giroux before lunging to his left to rob Travis Konecny.
"Obviously, they're big time saves," said Cassidy. "He's a very athletic guy, he never quits on a puck. That's what everyone loves about him. He's going to have to work on his technique like every other young goalie. Puck play, little details. He's a battler in there. Great for us.
"You need those type of saves. It gives you some juice, especially after a penalty kill. Good for him. I think Vladdy will do that. He'll make some of those acrobatic saves and he certainly did there."

Kuhlman Comes Through

Kuhlman buried his second goal of the season with a gorgeous wrister that clanked off the left post and by Philly goalie Brian Elliott with 2:27 left in the first period, tying the game, 1-1. The winger started the night on the fourth line but found himself promoted quickly to the third with Jake DeBrusk and Charlie Coyle. He finished the night with a team-high four hits in 11:24 of ice time.
"I think he certainly could be a guy that adds some secondary scoring, and has for us," said Cassidy. "He has a good shot. Good release. He goes to the net. Finds himself in good spots. Just a size issue for him. He gets pushed out of the good ice at times. He's using his speed, I think, better this year to get inside, he's more willing.
"And that particular case, he found some good ice at the right place and waited for a shooting lane or traffic or help, whatever you want to call it. Did a nice job. Shot it past the goalie from 35 feet or whatever it was. That's an NHL goal all day long.
"So good for him…there's a little bit there. How much remains to be seen until he's in there on a regular basis. Obviously, scored a big one for us tonight."

Bergeron Makes History

History was delayed for a game, but Bergeron officially moved into sole possession of fourth place on the B's all-time scoring list with his go-ahead, power-play goal 46 seconds into the second period. Bergeron appeared to hit the milestone on Saturday against Pittsburgh, but his helper on Brad Marchand's second goal of the night was wiped away due to an official scoring change after the game.
The B's captain surpassed Rick Middleton with his 899th point and is now one shy of becoming the fourth Bruin with 900 for his career along with Ray Bourque, Johnny Bucyk, and Phil Esposito.