The Philadelphia Flyers (26-21-11) are back in action following their overtime win on Thursday, when they take on the Boston Bruins (33-20-5) at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Philadelphia is 2-1-2 over its past five games. While the playoffs seem like a stretch, the Flyers’ previous win vs. the Rangers kept them alive, as teams ahead of them in the playoff race, like the Islanders, Bruins, and Capitals, keep winning.
As for those Bruins, they are entering Saturday’s matchup on an eight-game point streak. They are 5-0-3 in that span, and two of the three overtime losses came in the shootout.
Just like Trevor Zegras said following the Rangers’ game, every game for the rest of the season is a playoff-like game for the Flyers. Saturday’s matchup against the Bruins is no exception.
Puck drop is at 3:00 p.m. EST at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Here is how the Flyers are expected to line up.
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Flyers lines & pairs vs. Bruins
Forwards
Trevor Zegras–Christian Dvorak–Travis Konecny
Matvei Michkov–Noah Cates–Bobby Brink
Denver Barkey–Sean Couturier–Owen Tippett
Nikita Grebenkin–Carl Grundstrom–Garnet Hathaway
Defensemen
Travis Sanheim–Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York–Jamie Drysdale
Emil Andrae–Nick Seeler
Goaltenders
Dan Vladar
Sam Ersson
Special Teams
PP1:Â Drysadale, Dvorak, Konecny, Brink, Zegras
PP2:Â York, Cates, Barkey, Tippett, Michkov
PK1:Â Cates, Tippett, York, Sanheim
PK 2: Hathaway, Konecny, Seeler, Ristolainen
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Game Notes
Dan Vladar is expected to get the start between the pipes on Saturday. He was excellent in the first game back after the break, but the Flyers couldn’t get him the win. Saturday offers a chance to get that win.
The Bruins could be scouting this one heavily. Rasmus Ristolainen has been drawing interest from many teams at the deadline, including the Bruins. Boston is also reportedly interested in Owen Tippett. I wonder if, from a Bruins perspective, a close eye will be kept on those two on Saturday.
Matvei Michkov has been moving really quickly since the break. His offensive game looks as lethal as it has all season, and his two-goal game vs. the Rangers is something to build off. Defensively, he still has much room for improvement, but the offense is really going, and it will be fun to watch.
Part of Michkov’s recent success has been Noah Cates’ elevated play. Cates has been playing really well since the break as well, with a goal and an assist over the last two games. Look for him to keep it up as well.
How to Watch Flyers vs. Bruins
TV: ABC
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Puck drop is at 3:00 p.m. EST at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
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