Flyers look to keep playoff hopes alive vs Bruins
By Mike Zawisza
The Flyers did the unthinkable last night and won a game vs the Boston Bruins. Sure, it took a late third period goal and a clandestine Patrice Bergeron tumble in overtime to do it, but they don’t ask how in the NHL.
The Flyers have actually looked pretty decent in their last handful of games (save for an embarrassing showing vs the Buffalo Sabres) so it’s nice to see them get some good luck for a change.
That being said, they can’t sit around and feel good about themselves for too long as they go right back to the grind tonight versus Boston. Monday’s win put them three points out of the final playoff spot in the Mass Mutual Division behind the very same Bruins. Boston has two games in hand, so securing another win — preferably in regulation — is a must.
If they play the same type of game as they did tonight, especially how they dominated the third period, it’s certainly within the realm of possibility. But this team has fallen short of expectations all year though so shame on us for being optimistic, right?
Projected Lineups: Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 18-14-5 (41 Points)
The Flyers played an overall sound game against the Bruins Monday night. There weren’t any of the major defensive lapses that we’ve seen in weeks prior and they didn’t let the Bruins scoring spiral into a buffet of goals. If it weren’t for the back-to-back, we’d likely see the same lineup tomorrow.
Oskar Lindblom was given another night to rest Monday, so one would figure he’d draw back into the lineup. It’s unlikely Tanner Laczynski will come out as he’s put together a solid first couple of NHL games on the fourth line. Perhaps Michael Raffl sits again?
One player who certainly won’t be coming out of the lineup is Travis Konecny. After going 12 games without a goal, TK got on the board tonight and back into the good graces of his coach. It’s been difficult to avoid talking about TK’s lack of production this year, as it has certainly hurt the team. However, if he can catch fire at this time of the year, that would go a long way in helping the Flyers claw their way back into the playoff picture.
Forwards
JVR – Couturier – Farabee
Konecny – Giroux – Voracek
Laughton – Hayes – Patrick
Raffl/Lindblom – Laczynski – NAK
Defense
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Myers
Morin – Gostisbehere
Goaltender
Hart
Elliott
Boston Bruins
Record: 19-10-6 (44 Points)
Who would’ve thought the team that has owned the Flyers all year, would be the one barely hanging on to a playoff spot?
The Boston Bruins are struggling right now and have plummeted from their comfy spot at the top of the division in just a few weeks. That just goes to show how things can quickly spiral out in this season’s format.
For the Flyers, that’s a good thing. For the Bruins, not so much.
The Bruins are also battling a touch of the COVID as goalie Jaroslav Halak has found his way on the protocol list. With starter Tuukka Rask already banged up, the Bruins playoff fate rests in the hands of a couple rookies. Good rookies, but rookies nonetheless.
Dan Vladar was quite impressive against the Flyers Monday, so it wouldn’t have shocking to see him go again, especially with Rask and Halak still out. However, Jeremy Swayman will be making his NHL debut in this one.
Forwards
Marchand – Bergeron – Smith
Ritchie – Krejci – Pastrnak
Debrusk – Coyle – Wagner
Frederic – Kuraly – Kuhlman
Defense
Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Lauzon – Clifton
Zboril – Miller
Goaltenders
Swayman
Vladar
Where, When, and How to Watch
Time: 7 PM EST
Location: Wells Fargo Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NESN+
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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