Crucial points on the line for Flyers against Bruins
The Flyers are back at the Wells Fargo Center as they take on the Bruins for the third time this week. This matchup is even more important for Philadelphia’s playoff hopes than the previous two.
The teams split the first two meeting with the Flyers grabbing an overtime victory on Monday and Boston securing a regulation win on Tuesday. Tuesday’s loss was a big knock to playoff hopes, especially after another loss on Thursday.
Grabbing the first goal appears to be the key to victory. The team that has done so has won five of the seven games.
Regardless, a regulation win is absolutely a must if the Flyers have any hope remaining of making the playoffs. They are currently six points out of a playoff spot, now back in sixth place in the division. Four points back would be a lot easier to climb than eight.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 18-5-6 (42 points)
Things don’t get anymore important than a win in regulation this afternoon. With the trade deadline on Monday, it’s likely this two games this weekend are being used as the final determination on their status.
Grabbing a point in two games this week may have saved the Flyers just a bit. It will still be a tough hill to climb. Including this afternoon’s matchup, there are 17 games remaining in the regular season. So there is still some time to make a move.
This is Philadelphia’s final game against Boston this season so grabbing two points versus a team directly in front of you is a must. After Thursday’s shootout loss, Alain Vigneault didn’t expect any changes to his lineup. So aside from Brian Elliott in net, we should be looking at the same group that came out against the Islanders.
van Riemsdyk – Couturier – Lindblom
Laughton – Hayes – Farabee
Konecny – Giroux – Voracek
Raffl – Patrick – Aube-Kubel
Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Hagg
Morin – Gostisbehere
Elliott
Hart
Boston Bruins
Record: 21-10-6 (42 points)
Boston is looking to stay on a roll as they have points in their last four games, going 3-0-1 in that stretch. Their only loss came to the Flyers on Monday night.
Special teams has played a huge factor for the Bruins against Philadelphia this season. They have 10 power play goals as well as a short handed tally scored by Brad Marchand on Tuesday. The Flyers have five power play goals in 23 total opportunities.
The third period has also been when the Bruins have gotten most of their work done. They are out scoring the Flyers 14-7 in the final frame. And that’s included games where Philadelphia has come into the final period with a lead of more than one goal.
The Flyers will once again be tasked with going up against Boston’s hot-handed rookie, Jeremy Swayman. He has won his first three NHL games, stopping 71 of the 75 shots he’s faced. Dan Vladar will once again back-up as neither Tuukka Rask or Jaroslav Halak are ready to return.
Marchand – Bergeron – Smith
Ritchie – Krejci – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Coyle – Kuhlman
Blidh – Kuraly – Wagner
Grzelcyk – Miller
Lauzon – Clifton
Zboril – Kampfer
Swayman
Vladar
When, Where and How To Watch
Time: 2 PM EST
Location: Wells Fargo Center
TV Broadcast: NBC Sports Philadelphia, NESN, ESPN+
Radio Broadcast: 97.5 The Fanatic
Live Stream: Fubo TV
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