Gameday 12 Preview: Flyers vs. Bruins

Siobhan Nolan

Nov 2, 2024, 15:45

Siobhan Nolan

Nov 2, 2024, 15:45

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to host the Boston Bruins in a rematch that follows their thrilling 2-0 victory in Boston earlier this week—a game where the Flyers snapped an 11-year win drought in regulation at TD Garden and earned their first shutout there since 2006.

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to host the Boston Bruins in a rematch that follows their thrilling 2-0 victory in Boston earlier this week—a game where the Flyers snapped an 11-year win drought in regulation at TD Garden and earned their first shutout there since 2006.

Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News - Gameday 12 Preview: Flyers vs. Bruins

Since then, Philadelphia has followed with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the St. Louis Blues, showing signs of a team gaining confidence and cohesion with each game.

Stepping Up On The Back Line

The Flyers’ defense has been a revelation in recent games, with Travis Sanheim, rookie Emil Andrae, and even Rasmus Ristolainen playing some of their most disciplined hockey of the season.

Sanheim has been an anchor on the blue line, delivering smart plays and serving as a stabilizing presence, while Andrae’s poise and puck-moving ability have added fresh energy to the Flyers’ back end. Ristolainen, too, has contributed with physicality and smart positioning, a marked improvement that has bolstered Philly’s efforts in their zone.

The Bruins bring a formidable mix of speed and skill, so the Flyers’ defense will need to maintain this newfound sharpness. In their last meeting, they held Boston to zero goals and shut down their top scorers. Replicating that level of defensive focus will be crucial if they want to leave the Wells Fargo Center with another win.

Offense Coming Together

Though it’s been a season marked by grind-it-out games, the Flyers’ offense is finally showing signs of clicking. They’re generating a high volume of scoring chances, and now, more of those opportunities are finding the back of the net.

Players like Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee have continued to create offensive pressure, while the energy line has added invaluable depth and tempo. Against St. Louis, the Flyers scored twice, thanks to sustained pressure and the willingness to go to the high-danger areas.

Against the Bruins, the Flyers will be facing a team known for its defensive acumen, but this shouldn’t be a reason to hold back. By applying pressure early, creating scrambles around the net, and taking advantage of the power play, the Flyers can make Boston uncomfortable and potentially capitalize on turnovers.

Building On Their Best Hockey Yet

While the Flyers still have work to do to fully turn the corner, their recent performances represent their most cohesive play this season. Head coach John Tortorella’s focus on accountability and a hard-working mentality seems to be paying off, with each player committed to playing their role effectively. There’s a spark within the team that has been steadily building—a sense of belief that is starting to translate into wins.

But consistency is key. Facing a strong Boston team for the second time in a week, the Flyers have a chance to show that their recent successes are not just a fluke. To keep this momentum rolling, the Flyers will need to continue playing fast, focused hockey, where each line brings energy and every shift counts.