The Boston Bruins walked into the Wachovia Center last night and showed the league how they have taken control of the Eastern Conference. They played a puck control game, won the battles in the corner, and peppered goaltender Marty Biron with rubber most of the night.
After a feisty series last season, this contest was surprisingly tame. However, the Flyers continued to show their preference for watching most of the game from the penalty box.
After letting the Flyers play their game in the first period, the boys from Bean Town promptly outshot Philadelphia 26-12 in the final two periods. Bruins net minder Tim Thomas added to the frustration by making several outstanding saves, including one baffling stop on Jeff Carter during a power play in the first period.
The Flyers faced no easy task, as shortly before the game they announced that three key contributors would miss the game with flu-like symptoms. One of those missing was gritty captain, Mike Richards. The Flyers did themselves no favors either, with sloppy passing, clumsy skating and untimely penalties.
Biron was left out to dry in the third period, as the Flyers struggled to get the puck out of the zone. He faced a steady stream of pucks, one of which, off the stick of the behemoth Zdeno Chara, rattled the cage of Biron's mask. Biron recovered shortly and was able to close the game out. This was no sure thing, as Chara possesses a stone cold slap shot which has won the hard shot competition at the all-star game three years running.
Philadelphia will look to rebound Saturday night in Boston in the second game of a home and home. Look for a rested Richards to play an emotional game, hoping to prevent the Flyers from taking the same kind of skid they did post-all star game last year.
Keywords: Boston Bruins, Jeff Carter, Marty Biron, Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers, Tim Thomas, Zdeno Chara
