Recap: Forbort’s two goals help Bruins to win over Flyers

We knew the Boston Bruins had a Norris Trophy caliber defensemen on the blue line. But maybe they have two with Derek Forbort as well.

OK, that’s not likely, but Forbort potted two goals in the Bruins’ 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday. He’s now up to four goals on the season, setting a new career-high for a single season.

Tomas Nosek, Craig Smith and David Pastrnak scored the other three goals as Boston improved to 9-5-0 with their third consecutive win. Linus Ullmark made 29 saves on 31 shots against for his fourth win of the season.

1st period

The Bruins absolutely dominated the first period. Not other way to put it, the poured the pressure on the Flyers.

However, for awhile, Martin Jones looked unbeatable. The Bruins finished the first with a season-high 21 shots on goal and finally with a 1:35 left, Nosek was able to get one by Jones.

Great fore check by the fourth line. First Curtis Lazar engages as the first man in with Nick Seeler. Anton Blidh comes behind as the second man, finds Nosek who uses his skate to kick the puck to his blade and roofs it over Jones.

Despite the dominant period, just one goal to come away from it.

2nd period

Boston wasted no time building off of their excellent first period, as Forbort got a shot through from the point just 30 seconds into the second frame.

Puck luck on the Bruins side here for sure, as Forbort’s shot deflects of Justin Braun’s stick and past Jones.

But that two-goal lead last less than a minute, as Derick Brassard cleaned up a loose puck in front to put the Flyers on the board.

Some weak defense in front by Taylor Hall, in addition to a bit of a lazy play by Ullmark. Needs to cover or clear that puck quicker in the crease. And the Bruins need to stop immediately giving up goals after scoring one of their own.

Sure enough, the goal put some momentum on the Flyers side and Brassard potted his second goal of the night close to the halfway point of the period.

Couple of notes on this. One, Lazar makes the right read, but he’s got to be stronger on his stick there. He’s got that puck intercepted, but it slips through and onto the stick of Brassard.

Two, the goal came on the power play after a scrum behind the Flyers net. There was contact between Patrice Bergeron and Rasmus Ristolainen and was your typical post-whistle scrum. I have no idea how Brad Marchand ends up as the only one with a penalty but he does and Philadelphia capitalized.

Boston was able to regain the lead under five minutes left in the second with a laser from Forbort off the rush.

Who knew he has this type of offense in his system? An absolute snipe for his second of the net and give the Bruins a 3-2 lead heading into the last period.

3rd period

For the second straight period, the Bruins wasted no time finding the back of the net. This time, it was Smith getting his first of the season.

It’s one that Jones likely wants back, as if you look, he looks to be leaning blocker side for some reason. Regardless, great use of speed by Smith to get by Travis Sanheim and Bruins had a 4-2 lead.

After a wonky call on Claude Giroux off a faceoff wiped off a Flyers power play, the Bruins got some insurance on the proceeding 4 on 4 with Pastrnak using his patience to beat Jones.

Speaking of patience, smart play by Zboril and wait to hit Pastrnak in the slot for the assist.

Boston held on and took the game 5-2.

Notes

• All jokes aside, for as weak his defensive play as been at times, four goals out of Derek Forbort is no joke. For a blue line that has yet to see a goal out of Matt Grzelcyk, Forbort has come out of nowhere and made up for it. I wouldn’t be shocked if he doesn’t score again, but the Bruins need secondary scoring and that includes from the blue line
• What a first period. Any time you put up more than 20 in a period, it’s impressive. My only problem with it was only one goal and it allowed the Flyers to stick around
• I wrote about it earlier this week, Jakub Zboril is making the case to stay in the lineup. Bruins held a 7-0 shot advantage with Zboril and Mike Reilly on the ice at 5 on 5. Another excellent showing by the young D-man
• The fourth line was really good, especially Blidh. Going to make it hard to keep him out of the lineup once Frederic returns
• Charlie McAvoy stepped up and fought Joel Farabee in the second. Gave the Bruins a boost that they needed after letting the Flyers tie the game up. Only the third fight this season from a Bruin player
• STOP. IMMEDIATELY. GIVING. UP. GOALS. AFTER. YOU. SCORE. It’s a dangerous game and the team was burned against the Oilers from it. Certainly not a trend you want to continue

After a week off, it was nice to get the win. But Boston not only is right back at it tomorrow, but it’s against a Calgary Flames team out to a very hot start to the season. They also are on a back-to-back so no excuse for the Bruins looking to hit double digits in wins on the season.