WILMINGTON, Mass -
Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard returned after missing seven weeks with a concussion and scored in overtime to win a playoff game. Philadelphia's Simon Gagne came back after missing four playoff games with a broken toe and also scored a game-winner.
Boston defenceman Mark Stuart came back from a month-long layoff and struggled to stay on the ice in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Flyers - sitting out the entire overtime, when Gagne scored to help the Flyers avoid a four-game sweep.
As the best-of-seven series heads back to Boston for Game 5 tonight, the Bruins hope for more from Stuart and other players who are returning from injury to make up for the guys they've lost in two physical series so far.
"He'll be ready to go for the next one," Bruins forward Shawn Thornton said of Stuart, who hadn't played since April 1 because of an infected finger.
Stuart played just nine minutes 46 seconds in Game 4, when he rushed back to replace injured rookie Adam McQuaid. He didn't get off a shot or get credited with a hit in the game; he did tip Chris Pronger's goal into the Bruins net in the second period, and he finished with a minus-2.
The Flyers won 5-4 on Gagne's goal at 14:40 of overtime - a mirror image of Game 1, when Savard's comeback keyed Boston's OT victory.
"It was kind of the same game, but you reverse the two roles there," Bruins forward Milan Lucic said Sunday. "It has been definitely an emotional roller coaster."
Boston could get more help from defenceman Dennis Seidenberg, who was expected to be done for the season with a lacerated tendon. He was back on the ice Saturday - skating alone with a coach - and hopes to move up his return if the Bruins advance.
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