Flyers’ OT goal forces Game 7

Photo by: David Duprey

AP

Photo

Philadelphia Flyers' Scott Hartnell (19) battles for the puck with Buffalo Sabres' Nathan Gerbe (42) and Patrick Kaleta (36) during the second period in Game 6 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series, in Buffalo, N.Y., Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y.

Goalie Brian Boucher got his second chance. Chris Pronger’s presence provided an inspirational boost. And thanks to Ville Leino, the Philadelphia Flyers made this comeback stick against the Buffalo Sabres.

On the brink of elimination, and with the Flyers enduring the latest in a string of goalie shuffles, Boucher stopped 24 shots in yet another relief effort and Leino capped Philadelphia’s two-goal comeback by scoring 4:43 into overtime in a 5-4 win on Sunday to force Game 7 in the first-round playoff series.

The deciding game is at Philadelphia on Tuesday to close what’s been a tightly contested and topsy-turvy series, in which five of the six games have been won by one goal.

“I’ve been through some pretty wild and crazy games through my career,” said Danny Briere, the former Sabres co-captain who scored twice against his former team. “And today was one of them, the roller-coaster ride that it was. My heart definitely skipped a few beats today.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Michael Leighton became the third Flyers goalie to start a game this series, before proceeding to become the third Flyers goalie to be yanked after allowing three goals on the first seven shots he faced.

Enter Boucher, who made up for his dreadful performance in a 4-3 overtime loss on Friday, in which he allowed three goals on 11 shots.

And unlike what happened in Game 5, in which the Flyers rallied from a 3-0 deficit before faltering, Leino sealed this victory during a scramble in front.