Game Day Preview #68: Flyers vs. Bruins

Siobhan Nolan

Mar 16, 2024, 17:07

Siobhan Nolan

Mar 16, 2024, 17:07

There may be no better place in the U.S. to spend St. Patrick's Day weekend than in Boston, but the Philadelphia Flyers will need all the luck they can get facing off against the Boston Bruins.

Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports - Game Day Preview #68: Flyers vs. Bruins

There may be no better place in the U.S. to spend St. Patrick's Day weekend than in Boston, but the Philadelphia Flyers will need all the luck they can get facing off against the Boston Bruins after a demoralizing 6-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

With playoffs looming and the Metro Division getting tighter and tighter with every passing gameday, it's do-or-die time for the Flyers. There has been no shortage of obstacles in their path to the postseason, but if there's one adjective that gets overused more than "gritty" when describing this team, it's "resilient."

Shaking Up The Roster

With head coach John Tortorella back behind the bench after a two-game suspension and plenty of disappointing player performances against Toronto, it will be a shock to no one that changes have been made to the lineup.

It has been reported that Bobby Brink will be a healthy scratch against the Bruins, making room for Cam Atkinson to go back into the lineup. These two players are no strangers to not having secured spots, but they both have struggled to prove themselves to Tortorella with the minutes they've been given.

The Flyers' head coach has said that every player will get a chance to show that they deserve to be regular fixtures in the lineup, and for Atkinson, this game will be a golden opportunity to make an impact.

It has also been reported Travis Sanheim did not participate in gameday morning skate. This does not exclude him from being able to play in the game, however, as there have been no reports of illness or injury.

This game will also see Felix Sandstrom starting in net, giving Sam Ersson a well-deserved bit of rest, and a chance for Sandstrom to demonstrate his abilities against a historically tough opponent for the Flyers.

Getting Early Momentum

It's been a running joke for most of the season, but there is some truth to the notion that this Flyers team thrives on good vibes. The team chemistry is there—that much is evident. When they score first in games, it gives them the momentum they need to keep creating and make ambitious moves in the other team's zone. That initial spark has proven to be so important in getting the Flyers to dominate games, and it will be more important than ever against the Bruins.

Time To Shine

Ever since the injury apocalypse that has plagued the Flyers in recent weeks, the focus has been on the younger players more than ever to step up and show why they're the core that the front office wants to focus the rebuild around. All things considered, they've done a pretty solid job, but teams like the Bruins are intimidating. The Flyers are already not anywhere near full strength, and they've dealt with so many rearrangements in the squad that it's been difficult for them to feel settled and comfortable in where they're playing.

The Flyers are a "no excuses" kind of team, and even Scott Laughton admitted that they'll need to play a "disgusting" game against the Bruins to come out on top, but they've shown that they're more than capable of putting on those masterclasses against big teams. Their fate is still in their hands, and they still have a bit of a head start when it comes to that third seed. It's not the most comfortable lead, but at this point in the season, every single point is precious.

Flyers Projected Lines:

Forwards:

Tippett - Frost - Foerster

Farabee - Laughton - Konecny

Deslauriers - Couturier - Atkinson

Cates - Poehling - Hathaway

Defense:

York - Sanheim

Staal - Attard

Zamula - Johnson

Starting Goalie:

Sandstrom