The Philadelphia Flyers secured a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins in a shootout at TD Garden on Monday, marking their second win of the preseason. Both wins have come via shootout, bringing their preseason record to 2-3-0.
Noah Cates and Rodrigo Abols scored during regulation for the Flyers, while Sean Kuraly and Morgan Geekie found the net for Boston. Bobby Brink delivered the deciding goal in the shootout.
The first period was uneventful with both teams registering three shots each at even strength. Boston had two additional shots during their only power play of the period. The main scoring opportunity came from a wraparound attempt by David Pastrnak of the Bruins.
In the second period, Noah Cates put Philadelphia ahead after receiving a pass and shooting past Jeremy Swayman at 13:38, assisted by Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink. The Flyers did not convert on their first power play chance. Boston tied it up when Sean Kuraly scored off a feed from Pastrnak at 16:46, with Tanner Jeannot earning a secondary assist.
Rodrigo Abols regained the lead for Philadelphia late in the second period with his third goal of the preseason. Skating into the right circle, he placed his shot over Swayman’s pad and under his blocker at 19:36. Alexis Gendron provided the lone assist.
Boston equalized again midway through the third after a neutral zone turnover involving Nikita Grebenkin and Hunter McDonald led to Morgan Geekie’s goal, assisted by Elias Lindholm.
With less than two minutes left in overtime, Cates drew a holding penalty on Geekie but Philadelphia could not capitalize during four-on-three play. The game proceeded to a shootout where Bobby Brink scored in the opening round to secure victory for Philadelphia.
Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar stopped 13 of 15 shots over 65 minutes and denied all three Bruins attempts in the shootout. Jeremy Swayman made 20 saves on 22 shots for Boston and saved two out of three attempts in the shootout.
Philadelphia went scoreless on four power plays but killed both penalties they faced successfully.
Tyson Foerster played his first preseason game this year, contributing an assist on Cates’ goal as part of an effective line with Cates and Brink. Six defensemen are still competing for roster spots; Adam Ginning and Noah Juulsen formed one pair that performed well defensively while Emil Andrae also had strong moments.
Dan Vladar completed his first full game since joining Philadelphia as goaltender against his former team. He was noted for staying patient during key moments including the shootout.
Jett Luchanko appeared in his fourth consecutive preseason game, showing defensive awareness early but becoming less noticeable as play progressed; he made accurate passes during overtime’s power play opportunity.
Nikita Grebenkin logged significant ice time (17:41) and recorded three shots on goal as he continued to vie for a roster position among forwards competing this preseason.
