Bruins Clinch Playoff Spot With Win Over Flyers

By KC Downey in Bruins, Featured, Top Story ⋅ March 28, 2011 at 12:51am ⋅ Post a comment

Coming off a tough 1-0 loss to the Rangers, the Bruins were still in good shape. If they beat the Flyers on the second game of a back-to-back Sunday, they would clinch a playoff spot for the fourth straight year. Mission accomplished.

After falling behind 1-0, the resilient Bruins scored two unanswered goals, capped off by Brad Marchand’s 20th goal in the third period to beat the Flyers 2-1, improving to 3-0-1 against Philly this season after last year’s playoff embarrassment.

“There’s been pressure on him to get the 20th and a great way to get it is a game winner,” said Mark Recchi, who assisted on the goal.

Marchand’s goal came after Flyers captain Mike Richards hit the penalty box for a high-sticking call. The rookie stuffed home a rebound off Dennis Seidenberg’s slap shot.

Philly’s Kris Versteeg scored his 20th to open the scoring, but Tim Thomas tightened up after that, coming up with several nifty stops. He finished with 27 saves to improve to 10-2-2 against the Flyers in his career.

Nathan Thornton scored his 23rd goal of the year on the power play in the second period. Aside from the two blunders, Flyers goalie Brian Boucher was solid, finishing with 34 saves.

The Bruins are now in the driver’s seat for the division title, and are just four points behind the second place Capitals in the East. Next up for the B’s is a Tuesday night battle with the Blackhawks.