Bruins 2, Flyers 1
Chris Kelly scored with 1:51 remaining in the third period to snap a tie as host Boston edged Philadelphia in the season opener for both teams.
With the contest tied at 1-1, Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid's stick exploded after his slap shot from well beyond the circles handcuffed Steve Mason. Kelly alertly spotted the loose puck on the doorstep and tapped it home to send TD Garden into a frenzy.
Reilly Smith scored a power-play goal and Tuukka Rask turned aside 19 shots for the Bruins, who won their third straight season opener. Carl Soderberg notched two assists and two-time Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron added another in the victory.
Sean Couturier scored to forge a 1-1 tie at 4:19 of the third period and Mason finished with 31 saves for the Flyers, who went 0-for-3 on the power play. Jakub Voracek skated out of the corner and unleashed a turnaround shot from the right faceoff circle that caromed off both Soderberg and Couturier before entering the net.
The Bruins drew first blood shortly after they received the first man-advantage opportunity of the evening when Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo was whistled for roughing behind the play. Soderberg skated out from just above the end line on the right side before alertly backhanding the puck through the slot to an unmarked Smith, who one-timed a shot past Mason.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Boston C David Krejci, who had a team-leading 50 assists and 69 points last season, is expected to miss the team's next two games with an undisclosed injury. ... Philadelphia captain Claude Giroux registered just one shot on goal while losing 17-of-21 faceoffs. ... Bruins LW Daniel Paille nearly opened the scoring six minutes into the contest as he settled D Dennis Seidenberg's lead pass before his wrist shot from the left circle caromed off the right post.