The end of November represents the beginning of a tough stretch of games for the Flyers as they play eight times over 13 days.
The first of those games unfolded Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center as the Flyers were badly outplayed by the Boston Bruins during a 3-2 shootout victory. Shayne Gostisbehere won it with a flip shot in the ninth round.
Without goalie Steve Mason, it would have been a blowout loss in regulation. He gloved David Backes' shot in overtime, as well.
That’s two wins in succession for Dave Hakstol’s club.
Mason was working on a 33-save, 2-0 shutout when Boston tied the game in a little more than a minute as the Flyers' defense broke down again with an open shot from David Krejci and a Brad Marchand rebound early in the third period.
Torey Krug had both assists there.
NHL
Boston came into the game ranked ninth in the Eastern Conference, two spots ahead of the Flyers. They outshot the Flyers, 47-21.
Win streak
The Flyers came into the game 2-5-2 in games following a victory. The last time they won consecutive games was Nov. 2-3. They have just one three-game win streak this season.
Trifecta
Sure-handed Michael Raffl had a turnover, missed open net and a slashing penalty in the first period.
Notable goals
Claude Giroux’s fourth power-play goal saw Riley Nash break his stick, leave Giroux and go to the bench to get a new one. He got back just as Giroux unloaded in the circle on Tuukka Rask to make it 2-0 in the first period. The Flyers were outshot that period, 19-9.
Goalie report
Mason faced a two-on-one early and got some help from Ivan Provorov on the first save but handled the rebound by Ryan Spooner on the second shot. Mason kept them in the game. It was that ugly.
Power play
Besides scoring on their first chance, the Flyers had some good scoring chances on their second power play in the middle period. Andrew MacDonald drew two penalties in the game.
Penalty kill
The Bruins' setup, passing, shot, etc. was just brutal, which is why their PP is ranked 18th in the NHL compared to the Flyers at No. 2. Boston was 0 for 4.
Penalty shot
Jakub Voracek was awarded one after being taken down on a breakaway by Joe Morrow during a 2-2 game. Rask made a pad stop on the shot.
Injuries
Travis Konecny collided with Bruins forward Tim Schaller in the second period. He limped to the bench and went to the dressing room, but returned late in the period.
Scratches
Defensemen Nick Schultz (healthy) and Brandon Manning (concussion symptoms), forwards Boyd Gordon (back spasms), Sean Couturier (left knee) and Scott Laughton (healthy) and goalie Michal Neuvirth (left knee).
Up next
The Flyers practice Wednesday at Skate Zone at 11:30 a.m. They leave for Ottawa later that afternoon for Thursday’s game against the Senators.