Philadephia forces Game 7 in thriller
Flyers hold strong in double OT as Provorov’s winner extends series
The New York Islanders were in a position to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1993, but that will now have to wait a little while longer.
Defenseman Ivan Provorov, 23, scored the gamewinning goal for the Philadelphia Flyers in double overtime of Game 6 Thursday to force the deciding Game 7 of the second round Eastern Conference playoff series from the NHL hub in Toronto.
The Flyers got an extra boost with the return of Oskar Lindblom to the lineup — the forward’s first game action since December, when he was diagnosed and treated for Ewing’s sarcoma.
The Flyers took a 2- 1 lead in the first 20 minutes, but the Islanders countered in the second period, taking a 4- 3 lead into the final stanza.
Game 7 will be Saturday.
Bruins
Boston captain Zdeno Chara says he wants to play next season, when he will turn 44 — and he wants to do it in Boston.
Chara said that he was still raw from the Bruins’ playoff elimination when he said Monday night, “I’m going to be openminded” about returning. On Thursday, the unrestricted free agent clarified: “I feel strong physically and I’m positive and I believe I can still play this game and contribute to the team and I want to stay in Boston.”
Elsewhere
The NHL unveiled a series of anti- racism initiatives more than eight months after Akim Aliu brought the topic to the forefront in the predominantly white sport. The league and NHL Players’ Association are planning mandatory inclusion and diversity training for all players at camp; partnering with the Hockey Diversity Alliance to launch a grassroots program for young players of color in the Toronto area; and working together on several inclusion committees aimed at encouraging diversity among executives, pro and youth players and fans.