Bruins squeak past Flyers

BOSTON — Drew Stafford scored with 5.6 seconds left in the third period when his dump-in shot tipped off Philadelphia defenseman Brandon Manning's stick, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 2-1 win over the Flyers on Saturday.

David Pastrnak had a power-play goal, and Tuukka Rask made 26 saves for Boston, which improved to 10-3 under interim coach Bruce Cassidy, who replaced fired Claude Julien on Feb.7.

Jordan Weal had the Flyers' goal, and Steve Mason stopped 25 shots. Philadelphia may be sliding out of a chance at a playoff berth with its ninth loss in 14 games (5-8-1).

Stafford had the puck along the right boards, spun around and just shot a seemingly harmless attempt at the net. Manning skated in front and it slipped past Mason after hitting his stick. The defenseman put his hand to his helmet in disbelief.

Trailing 1-0 early in the second, Philadelphia tied it when Weal scored out of a scramble. The score stood after a challenge by the Bruins, who felt the Flyers were offside.

Philadelphia controlled play for lengthy stretches in the second, holding the Bruins to four shots on goal. Many times during the game, chants of "Let's Go Flyers!" could be heard echoing around the balcony seats.

Boston led 1-0 after a first period that featured solid end-to-end play, a couple of break-ins for good scoring chances, a long Flyers' two-man advantage and a fight that saw Boston's Matt Beleskey send Manning to the ice with a right-handed punch.

Pastrnak's one-timed Patrice Bergeron's pass by Mason for his 28th goal, making it 1-0 with 1:22 left in the period.

Rask made a splendid right-skate stop on Jakub Voracek, who collected a pass and broke in alone when the Bruins were caught on a line change midway into the period. Mason dropped to stop Pastrnak's close bid a few minutes later.

Philadelphia had seven shots on goal during the power plays that lasted 1 minute, 43 seconds -- the best was Wayne Simmonds' rebound from the edge of the crease that Rask made a pad save on.

Game notes

Boston center Ryan Spooner missed his second straight game with a concussion, and winger Tim Schaller was out with what the team called a lower body injury after crashing into the boards -- skates first -- in the previous game. ... Simmonds and teammate Brayden Schenn each entered with a league-leading 14 power-play goals. ... The Bruins wore green jerseys during warmups to honor St. Patrick's Day this Friday because they'll be on a road trip.

Associated Press