Bruins Vs Flyers: Vladar Outduels Swayman as Flyers Win 3-1 in Philadelphia
The bruins vs flyers matchup ended with the Flyers prevailing 3-1, powered by Dan Vladar’s 26-of-27 save performance and a decisive third period. The result matters because the Bruins dropped their fifth consecutive road loss while Boston’s goaltending decisions and a waved-off goal shaped the final outcome.
Bruins Vs Flyers: Dan Vladar’s Performance
Dan Vladar, the former Bruin, stopped 26 of 27 shots and finished the afternoon as the difference. He was especially dominant in the second period, when he stopped all 16 shots he faced. That stretch kept the game tied through two periods and forced the Bruins to chase offense late.
Third-Period Swing: Konecny, Drysdale and McAvoy
Four minutes into the third period, Travis Konecny broke the deadlock on a fortuitous bounce off a stanchion after a precise feed from Christian Dvorak. Just over eight minutes later, Jamie Drysdale — given ample space to shoot — extended the lead to 2-0. The Bruins responded quickly: Charlie McAvoy deflected a puck past Vladar to cut the deficit to 2-1 just over a minute after Drysdale’s goal. Sean Couturier sealed the final margin with an empty-net goal with just under a minute remaining, producing the 3-1 final score.
Goal Review and Marco Sturm’s Decision
The Bruins briefly thought they had taken the lead in the third when Hampus Lindholm’s goal was initially signaled on the ice. That tally was waved off because of goalie interference on Mikey Eyssimont, a ruling that made an overturn unlikely. Head coach Marco Sturm ultimately decided against launching a challenge, a decision shaped by the on-ice call and Vladar’s conspicuous play.
Penalty, Power Play and Shot Totals
Boston’s second period included two power-play opportunities spaced just over four minutes apart. Despite directing 16 shots at Vladar in that stanza, the Bruins failed to convert. Jeremy Swayman finished with two goals allowed on 16 shots; while those numbers appear modest, Swayman produced highlight-reel stops that kept the game within reach. The Bruins’ inability to score on the power plays and Vladar’s second-period shutout of 16 attempts created the sequence of events that swung the game to Philadelphia.
Physicality, Player Notes and Next Steps
The first period featured a heavy exchange between Tanner Jeannot and Nic Deslauriers. Deslauriers landed a couple of punches but was cut in the confrontation; observers judged Jeannot to have the edge in that bout. David Pastrnak, typically a prime offensive driver for Boston, managed only two shots on goal. The loss extended the Bruins’ road skid to five straight defeats. Boston will return to the ice on Tuesday night to host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Broadcast, Schedule and Recent Form
The bruins vs flyers game was scheduled to start at 3 p. m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The matchup aired nationally on ABC and was available to stream on the app; local radio coverage ran on 98. 5 The Sports Hub. An Unlimited subscription offering was cited at a starting price of $29. 99 per month.
Both clubs entered the game riding recent wins: Boston had opened its post-Olympics slate with a 4-2 victory over Columbus on Thursday, a return to play following a three-week break for the Milan Cortina Games in which Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Morgan Geekie and Sean Kuraly also tallied. Philadelphia arrived off an overtime victory over the Rangers the previous night, a contest decided when Matvei Michkov scored two minutes into overtime — his second goal of that game — beating Igor Shesterkin through the five-hole.
What makes this notable is how a single goaltender’s hot period and a small cluster of events — a quirky bounce, a waved-off goal and missed power plays — combined to determine a game that was otherwise tight through 40 minutes. The timing matters because Boston’s recent return to action after the Milan Cortina break had provided momentum, yet the team’s continued struggles away from home now put pressure on roster and tactical decisions ahead of the Penguins matchup.
Jordan Greer is an NESN writer who covers major sports leagues and holds degrees from Westminster College and Syracuse University.
