Kimmo Timonen and goalie Brian Boucher were the stars tonight, with Timonen registering three points, including the game-winner and an empty-netter to seal it. Boucher made 26 saves against the team he grew up cheering for in Woonsocket, R.I.
We're headed down for post-game reaction. Thanks for joining us here at our Bruins Live Blog and happy holidays!
Third period, 0:40.3, Flyers 3-1: It's Kimmo night here at the TD Garden as Kimmo Timonen just scored an empty-netter to all but seal it for the Flyers. Timmonen now has two goals and an assist. Timmonen shot it almost the length of the ice into the Bruins' empty net.
Third period, 1:03, Flyers 2-1: Scott Hartnell just took a dumb penalty and the Bruins will happily oblige and go on the power play for the last 1:03 of regulation — and hopefully first 0:57 of overtime.The Bruins are 0-for-3 tonight on the man advantage.
Third period, 5:11, Flyers 2-1: The giant HD screen above center ice is playing the famous clip from Animal House where John Belushi gives his "Nothing is over!" speech. Good stuff and the TD garden crowd is rocking.
Third period, 9:28, Flyers 2-1: Kimmo Timonen puts Philadelphia on top with a snap shot from 56 feet. Jon Kalinski and Matt Carle get the assists.
Third period, 11:54, 1-1: A much-needed break in the action here as the Bruins appear to be on their heels this period. They need to regroup and get back to their system.
Third period, 15:05, 1-1: Dennis Wideman did not come out for the third period and will not return tonight.
Third period, 17:12, 1-1: The Flyers just tied the game only 14 seconds after their fourth power play ended. Former UNH standout James van Riemsdyk lit the lamp for Philadelphia. Aaron Asham and Kimmo Timonen had the helpers.
That was van Riemsdyk's first goal in his last 13 games played, his seventh of the season.
Third period, 19:26, Bruins 1-0: Mark Recchi is in the sin bin for slashing and the Flyers are on their fourth power play. They're 0-for-3.
End of second period, Bruins 1-0: Vladimir Sobotka deflected a Shawn Thornton cross pass by Brian Boucher with 1:28 left in the period and the Bruins head to the dressing room with a 1-0 lead. Steve Begin had the secondary assist.
That was a big goal and possible momentum-shifter for the Bruins in a game in which neither team has been able to seize any momentum thus far. The Bruins also have to like that their fourth line is clicking and Sobotka is looking comfortable as the fourth line pivot. Should be an interesting third period.
Second period, 5:22: Claude Julien acknowledged today just how big a game this is for the Bruins before they head out on a three-game roadie this weekend.
The Bruins will be playing the Blackhawks on Friday, the Maple Leafs on Saturday and the Senators on Monday.
Second period, 10:31: Scott Hartnell is in the penalty box for interference and the Bruins are on their third power play. They're 0-for-2.
Second period, 12:15: Talking to some of the 12-plus scouts here in the press box, and there could be some trade activity before Saturday, when the NHL Holiday Trade Freeze kicks in.
The NHL doesn't allow any trades from December 19-26 so players aren't forced to get up and leave their families right around Christmas.
One player that appears to be on the move before Saturday is Islanders goalie Martin Biron, who will be made expendable when Rick DiPietro returns this weekend. The Isles also have Dwayne Roloson, who just stymied the Bruins on Saturday in New York's 3-2 overtime win.
Second period, 16:35: The Bruins great PR staff just gave away free helmet toques to the media, and let's just say most of us look like we escaped from an insane asylum!
Second period, 18:31: Underway in the second period here, and let's see if the bad blood boils even more.
End of first period, 0-0: No score here after the first period, but the Bruins and Flyers are starting to build some animosity that hopefully carries over to the Winter Classic on New Year's Day.
Vladimir Sobotka and Scott Hartnell took roughing penalties at the end of the period and throughout the period, the Flyers appeared to get under the skin of the Bruins as culprits like Daniel Carcillo (just back from a four-game suspension for sucker-punching the Capitals Matt Bradley), took some liberties after the whistle.
This can serve as a positive for the Bruins, who seem to play better when physically engaged or as a negative as witnessed by the retaliatory penalty Zdeno Chara took giving the Flyers a power play.
Speaking of rough-housing, the kids scrimmage on the TD Garden ice just broke out into a brawl!
First period, 4:15: Dennis Wideman who only a week ago missed three practices with an upper body injury and has battled numerous injuries this season, just blocked three shots and deflected another to help the Bruins kill of the Flyers' two-man advantage. The crowd let him know they appreciated his sacrifice with a standing ovation!
The Flyers are now 0-for-3 on the power play.
First period, 6:22: Mark Stuart just joined Zdeno Chara in the sin-bin and the Flyers will have a two-man advantage for 1:12. Stuart got a cross-checking penalty.
First period, 7:10: Zdeno Chara is in the box for roughing and the Flyers are on their second power play. They're 0-for-1.
First period, 10:27: Good observation by my mate from NHL.com, Dan Rosen that Claude Julien is using Daniel Paille on the left wing with David Krejci and Michael Ryder. Vladimir Sobotka is centering Steve Begin and Shawn Thornton now.
First period, 12:37: Brian Boucher just played the puck out of the trapezoid and was called for delay of game nullifying the Flyers' power play.
First period, 13:08: Blake Wheeler is in the penalty box and the Flyers are headed onto their first power play.
First period, 17:45: Vladimir Sobotka just rushed to the net with the puck and thought he scored as the puck popped loose, but the whistle was blown before it crossed the line.
First period, 19:40: Underway here at the TD Garden and Steve Yzerman, Hockey Canada GM for the Olympics is in the press box. Watching Patrice Bergeron again?
7:05 p.m.: Almost ready for faceoff here at the TD Garden between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers. This is the last meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals before they take to the ice at Fenway Park on New Year's Day. Both teams wore Winter Classic toques in warmups to build excitement for the Winter Classic.
But once the puck drops that will be a distant thought. Both teams need these two points in the conference standings and the Flyers, are trying to turn their season around under new coach and Franklin, MA native Peter Laviolette.
5:58 p.m.: The Bruins and Flyers concluded their game-day skate at the Garden and for the Bruins, all appears to be status quo.
The lines (below) look to be the same as they were on Long Island for the Bruins' 3-2 overtime loss against the Islanders. Tim Thomas was off the ice first, indicating he will be in net tonight against the Flyers. Matt Hunwick most likely will be the healthy scratch as Johnny Boychuk remains in.
On the Flyers' side, defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will get his first action in over a month. On Nov. 7 against St. Louis, Tollefsen left with a mild concussion but recovered from that injury and has been a healthy scratch for the last two weeks. He will replace the injured Braydon Coburn, who is out with an ankle injury. Woonsocket, R.I., native Brian Boucher will start in net for the Flyers.
Forwards
Blake Wheeler–Marc Savard– Byron Bitz
Marco Sturm–Patrice Bergeron–Mark Recchi
Vladimir Sobotka–David Krejci–Michael Ryder
Daniel Paille–Steve Begin–Shawn Thornton
Defensemen
Zdeno Chara–Derek Morris
Andrew Ference–Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart–Johnny Boychuk
Goaltenders
Tim Thomas
Tuukka Rask
