Flyers take their hot-streak to Boston to keep momentum going
By Scott Cole
The last time these two teams met, the Flyers were four games into their 10-game losing streak and the Boston Bruins were pretty much destroying everyone, having lost only two out of their 16 games at that point. The results were what you would expect: Boston crushed the Flyers 4-1 with Owen Tippett scoring the lone goal for Philly.
Things are different now. The Flyers are healthier and are on a hot streak. Boston is still Boston and a force to be reckoned with. The Flyers have played some good teams during this hot streak, but nothing is like what they will face with Boston.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 18-18-7 (43 points, 7th in Metro)
The orange and black are 7-1 in their last eight games. They are scoring at a higher rate than at any time during this season. Travis Konecny, during that span, has scored nine goals and five assists. He is one of the reasons that this team has turned around. TK is starting to become the superstar that this team needs. He is setting career highs in points and the season is only partway over.
Konecny’s surge is also helping others out as well. And as he is strong, the rest of the team is getting stronger. Scott Laughton has four goals and six assists in the last eight games. Tippett has three goals and five assists and Joel Farabee has three goals and four assists in that span. For Farabee, this comes after an extended slump.
If the Flyers want to defeat Boston, they are going to have to score early and clamp down on the Bruins. The Bruins come after you relentlessly and will not give up. Philly will have to get a lead and do everything they can to maintain it. Make the Bruins fight for every opportunity to score. If successful, the Flyers may come out of Boston with a win.
Flyers Projected Lineup
James van Riemsdyk — Morgan Frost — Owen Tippett
Joel Farabee — Noah Cates — Travis Konecny
Kevin Hayes — Scott Laughton — Wade Allison
Nicolas Deslauriers — Patrick Brown — Zack MacEwen
Ivan Provorov — Cam York
Travis Sanheim — Tony DeAngelo
Nick Seeler — Rasmus Ristolainen
Carter Hart
Boston Bruins
Record: 33-5-4 (70 points, 1st in Atlantic)
They are a model of perfection. They are what every team should aspire to be. The Bruins are second in the league in goals scored, first in the league in fewest goals scored, best penalty kill in the NHL, and third-best power play. They are running away with the Eastern Conference and are well on their way to winning the President’s Trophy.
But that isn’t their goal. This is a squad that is old and they know that this may be their last shot and winning a Stanley Cup with older vets like Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, David Krejci, Jake DeBrusk, and Nick Foligno. They are going all out and crushing everyone in their way. All four lines can and will hurt you and their defense will stifle you. Make any mistakes and you will pay for it.
If the Flyers can win this, it will go a long way toward showing how far they’ve come. If they lose, if they can stay competitive and come close to winning, that’s a victory in and of itself.
Bruins Projected Lineup
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall – David Krejci – Craig Smith
Pavel Zacha — Charlie Coyle — Trent Frederic
Nick Foligno — Tomas Nosek — A.J. Greer
Matt Grzelcyk — Charlie McAvoy
Hampus Lindholm — Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort — Connor Clifton
Linus Ullmark
Where, When, and How to Watch/Listen
Time: 1 PM
Where: Boston Garden
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+
Radio: 97.5 FM
Live Stream: FuboTV
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