Flyers Comeback Attempt Falls Short, Bruins Win 3-2
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brett Connolly redirected Zdeno Chara's shot from the point with 1:54 left, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
Connolly tipped the wobbly shot and one-hopped the puck past Michel Neuvirth for his seventh goal of the season.
Brad Marchand scored a goal for the fifth straight game and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins.
Boston's Tuukka Rask stopped 34 shots in his return from a late scratch Saturday night with an undisclosed injury.
The Flyers had staged third-period rallies in a pair of wins over the Bruins in the first two meetings this season. Wayne Simmonds nearly made it a third time with two straight goals, including one in the third that made it 2-all.
The Flyers have lost three straight games after a solid 5-0-1 run put them in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Boston has won five of six games as it tries to move up the Eastern Conference standings.
Marchand has been fantastic since he returned from a three-game suspension for clipping Ottawa defenseman Mark Borowiecki. Marchand's five goals over five games bumped his season total to 20 and he also has an assist over the last six games.
Bergeron's 19th goal of the season came on the power play. Marchand added another power-play goal with 2:33 left in the first period.
Simmonds got the Flyers rolling early in the second when he scored his 13th goal at 3:45. Simmonds directed in a rebound with 7:52 left in the third. Simmonds has four goals in three games this season against Boston.
The goal stood after a replay review for Boston's offside challenge.
NOTES: The Flyers celebrated "You Can Play Night." The You Can Play Project is an organization dedicated to changing the culture around LGBT athletes, coaches, and fans. The organization works to ensure equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, without regard of sexual orientation. Nellie Fitzpatrick, Director of the Mayor's Office of LGBT Affairs, was a special guest at the game. ... F Jordan Weal played for the Flyers for the first time since he joined the team in a Jan. 6 trade.
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