Saturday's afternoon game marks the first of three meetings between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers this season.
The Boston Bruins will take on the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday for a 12:30 p.m. puck drop in their last game before the All-Star break. The matinee matchup at Wells Fargo Center marks the first time the teams have met this season.
The Bruins – who have won five of their last six games – are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Ottawa Senators Thursday night. Captain Brad Marchand scored the game-winning tally, which was his 24th goal and 47th point of the year.
Boston has nine days off following Saturday’s game against the Flyers and next plays Feb. 6 against the Calgary Flames. Accordingly, the team wants to go into the time off on a high note.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery told reporters that Jake DeBrusk, Matt Poitras and Derek Forbort are all "banged up" and sidelined for Saturday's game. The Bruins announced Saturday that they recalled forward Patrick Brown from AHL Providence, and he'll slot onto the fourth line with Jakub Lauko and Oskar Steen. With Forbort out, Kevin Shattenkirk and Parker Wotherspoon with play together on the third pair.
Linus Ullmark is expected to get the start for the B’s after Jeremy Swayman made 37 saves in Thursday’s win. Ullmark has posted a 2.82 goals against average and .913 save percentage through 23 games. The goaltender last played Wednesday in the 3-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes and made 33 saves.
James van Riemsdyk is returning to Philadelphia for the first time since signing with the Bruins in July. The forward spent the previous five seasons with the Flyers and was originally drafted by the team in 2007.
Dec 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) in goal during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY SportsFive things to know about the Flyers
- The Flyers are on a four-game losing streak and most recently fell 3-0 to the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. Nonetheless, Philadelphia has exceeded expectations this season and sits at third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 25-18-6 record.
- Forward Travis Konecny leads the Flyers in both goals (22) and points (42). Konecny is skating on the first line with Noah Cates and Sean Couturier. His production has slowed down a bit as of late, logging two points in his last five games.
- Samuel Ersson will likely get the start in net for Philadelphia. The netminder has a 2.46 GAA and .902 SV% through 24 games. Ersson last played Thursday and made 17 saves in the 3-0 loss.
- Forward Owen Tippett is second on the team in goals with 18, but was moved to injured reserve this week with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day. Tippett signed an eight-year, $49.6 million contract extension with Philadelphia on Friday.
- The Flyer’s power play has struggled this season, ranked 29th in the NHL at 13.6 percent. Couturier and Tyson Foerster each lead the team with three power play goals. Philadelphia’s penalty kill, though, is second in the league at 85.6 percent.
Related Links: