Sean Couturier's goal gives Flyers 3-2 home win over Bruins

Sean Couturier scored near the midway point of the third period to break a tie and the Philadelphia Flyers picked up a critical 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

Brian Elliott stopped 29 shots for Philadelphia, which moved within four points of Boston for the fourth and final playoff spot in the NHL's East Division. The Bruins have two games in hand on the Flyers with Philadelphia having 16 games remaining. The two teams have completed their regular-season series.

Travis Konecny and Shayne Gostisbehere added goals for Philadelphia in the victory, which was only the second in eight contests against Boston this season.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman looks for the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Philadelphia. The Bruins won 4-2. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Patrice Bergeron and Jack DeBrusk scored for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman stopped 20 shots in the Boston net.

Couturier broke a 2-2 tie just under seven minutes into the third, converting off a Joel Farabee pass to the right of the net and capitalizing on a fallen Swayman in the Boston crease for his 12th goal of the year.

That was enough for Elliott and the beleaguered Flyers' defensive corps, which clamped down on the Bruins power play. Boston entered Saturday’s game with a 10-for-20 mark against the Flyers on the power play this season. Philadelphia held the Bruins scoreless in four tries on Saturday.

Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron skates up ice ahead of Philadelphia Flyers' Joel Farabee during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Boston opened the scoring early in the first period when Bergeron capitalized on a turnover behind the Philadelphia net and whipped a one-timer past Elliott. It was Bergeron’s 16th goal of the season and his eighth in eight games against the Flyers.

The Flyers answered quickly when Konecny pounced on a deep rebound from a Robert Haag shot and put it into the empty left side of the net to tie it. Late in the first period, Konecny threaded a nifty pass to Gostisbehere, who tipped it past Swayman to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead.

Boston tied the game midway through the second period when DeBrusk beat Elliott from the open area just above the crease.

Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk, center, celebrates his goal with Steven Kampfer (44) and Craig Smith during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

INJURY REPORT

Bruins: Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk left Saturday’s game after the first period with what the club described as an upper body injury. The 27-year- old was playing on the top pairing of the Bruins battered defensive unit, which has already been depleted by injuries to Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo.

Flyers: Defenseman Ivan Provorov returned to the game shortly after taking a point shot just inside the left kneecap, crumbling to the ice in pain after just 18 seconds. Provorov has been Philadelphia’s top defenseman and has played 40 games this season.

Boston Bruins' Sean Kuraly, left, and Philadelphia Flyers' Justin Braun collide during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

UP NEXT

Bruins: Host Capitals Sunday.

Flyers: Host Sabres Sunday.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott, right, makes a save on a shot attempt by Boston Bruins' Nick Ritchie as Flyers' Robert Hagg, rear, defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny, left, celebrates with Jakub Voracek, center, and Claude Giroux after Konecny scored a goal past Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Philadelphia Flyers' Shayne Gostisbehere celebrates after scoring a goal past Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman watches the puck after making a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)

Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand, right, and Philadelphia Flyers' Travis Konecny chase the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Philadelphia. The Bruins won 4-2. (AP PhotoDerik Hamilton)