During this seven-game gauntlet, the Philadelphia Flyers (35-26-9) and Boston Bruins (41-15-15) already met. It was a high-scoring affair, but the Flyers lost, and they're 0-2-0 against the Bruins this season. Following a third period featuring seven goals, Boston kept their edge, 6-5.
Before that exhausting loss to the Bruins, Philadelphia was ransacked by the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2. Shortly after, the Flyers got their revenge on the Maple Leafs, 4-3. They've avenged losses against some of the best teams in the NHL all season. In today's matinee, John Tortorella aims to pin Boston once in 2023-2024.
This is an incredibly tough spot to be. To grow a two-point lead in the NHL Metropolitan Division, Philadelphia must earn their first point(s) versus Boston.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins are 3-2-0 in their last five games. On Thursday, they lost to the New York Rangers, 5-2.
Justin Brazeau scored a goal and added an assist, detailing his fingerprints on each scoring play by Boston. He is a sizable forward who recorded an assist by effectively forechecking against Barclay Goodrow. Brazeau plays physically, creates traffic, and high-danger scoring chances in dirty areas. In his true rookie NHL season, Brazeau faced the Flyers once already. Brazeau hit and blocked a shot by Erik Johnson, but Ronnie Attard provided those receipts.
Here's the tentative lineup for the Boston Bruins, per Fluto Shinzawa:
Heinen-Zacha-Pastrnak Marchand-Coyle-DeBrusk van Riemsdyk-Geekie-Frederic Lauko-Boqvist-Brazeau Grzelcyk-McAvoy Lindholm-Carlo Lohrei-Peeke Ullmark (Swayman)
Philadelphia Flyers
A lot of things about the Flyers were correct against the Carolina Hurricanes. Scott Laughton continues to strike as a leader, recognizing and giving flowers to his teammates after hard performances:
"I thought that was one of Bobby’s best games tonight. He won every battle along the wall he made it really easy for me to keep pucks in, and Beezer did a great job; two guys that are always looking for you."
Scott Laughton; 3/21/2024
Joel Farabee notched an assist. He chipped forward a lead pass to send Laughton on a breakaway. Farabee couldn't hit the net in overtime but generated a few high-danger chances stopped by Frederik Andersen. In his last game against Boston, Farabee scored twice. He converted a tip-in and wraparound against Jeremy Swayman.
Here's the tentative lineup for the Philadelphia Flyers:
Tippett-Frost-Konecny Farabee-Laughton-Brink Foerster-Poehling-Hathaway Deslauriers-Cates-Lycksell York-Sanheim Ginning-Attard Zamula-Johnson Ersson (Sandstrom)
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Boston Bruins (-155) Philadelphia Flyers (+130) Justin Brazeau anytime goal (+500) Joel Farabee anytime goal (+245)
Game Information
Watch the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Listen to the radio broadcast on 97.5 The Fanatic. The puck drops at 1pm.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
