Flyers Finally Get a Lucky Bounce

Just what the doctor ordered.  The Flyers completed an amazing comeback in Boston this afternoon, beating the Bruins 4-3 in overtime when Randy Jones fluttered a shot from the blue line that bounced off the leg of a Boston defender and into the net.

A little luck is always nice, but it really can be attributed to Philadelphia doing all the little things.  The Flyers skated hard and played physical, and they threw the puck at the net at every opportunity.  The most important improvement can be seen in the special teams game.  The Fly Boys took just three penalties, compared with Boston's six.  This paid off, as the Flyers netted two power play goals. 

The Flyers hope this will be the momentum builder that snaps them out of a post-all star game funk.  They move to 2-3 since the break, and will face the Thrashers tomorrow in Atlanta before a string of games at the Wachovia Center. 

This was an especially big win, as it came against the number one team in the Eastern Conference, and the roster has been ravaged by a flu bug floating around the locker room.  The Flyers again took the ice without captain Mike Richards and Scottie Upshall.

After falling behind 3-1 in the first period, the Flyers got goals from Glen Metropolit and Scott Hartnell to knot the game going into the third.  Hartnell was his usual, agitating self on Saturday, drawing much attention from Boston players.  That was not enough to keep him from knocking home a loose puck to bring the game to a tie six minutes into the second.  

Philadelphia played inspired after goalie Marty Biron was pulled in favor of Antero Nittymaki going into the second period.  Look for the Flyers to ride the hot hand tomorrow, with Nittymaki getting the nod in Atlanta.  A win would be huge, with the Flyers returning home and looking to put together a win streak.  A few more healthy players would serve them well, as would continuing to stay out of the penalty box.