Bruins 2 - 1 Flyers
Final
  for this game

Bruins clinch playoff spot with win over Flyers

Mar 28, 2011 - 3:11 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Brad Marchand scored a power-play goal late in regulation, and the Boston Bruins clinched a playoff spot with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.

Nathan Horton also tallied with the man advantage for Boston, which has won three of its last four games. Tim Thomas made 11 of his 27 saves in the third period for the Bruins, who lead the Northeast Division by seven points over the Montreal Canadiens.

"It is nice to know when you're in the playoffs with more than just one or two games before the end of the season," said Boston head coach Claude Julien. "Right now, the challenge is to not get too comfortable. We have to build momentum heading into the playoffs and show some consistency in our game."

Kris Versteeg had the lone goal for the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers, who failed to register at least a point for the first time in 10 games (5-1-4). Brian Boucher stopped 34 shots in defeat.

Philadelphia is two points ahead of Pittsburgh for first place in the Atlantic Division with one game in hand. The Flyers visit the Penguins on Tuesday.

Philadelphia captain Mike Richards caught Boston defenseman Tomas Kaberle with a high stick with 4:27 remaining in the third period. Boucher was able to stop Dennis Seidenberg's wrister through traffic, but Marchand banged home the rebound with 3:43 to play.

"It was a point shot, got through some traffic. I got my glove on it and the rebound when up to (Marchand), hit him in the chest, and landed right on his forehand. It was a gift for him," Boucher said of the winning goal.

The Flyers pulled Boucher for an extra skater down the stretch, but failed to net an equalizer.

Versteeg converted a pass from Richards at the side of the net to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead at the 4:45 mark of the first period.

Following a faceoff win by David Krejci, Horton buried the rebound of a Kaberle shot to tie things up at 7:40 of the middle stanza.

Game Notes

Mark Recchi picked up the secondary assist on Marchand's goal. Recchi tied Paul Coffey for 12th place on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,531...Boston took three of four from Philadelphia in the season series.






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