After having five days off, the Philadelphia Flyers (2-2-1) will play their second game in as many nights as they travel north to battle the Boston Bruins (2-3-0). Tonight is also the second consecutive rivalry night Wednesday game for the Flyers. Game time is 8:00 from TD Garden.
This is the first of three matchups between the teams and the only game in Boston. The Flyers are 0-4-2 in their last six games against the Bruins.
The Flyers dropped a 2-1 decision to the Dallas Stars at home Tuesday night. Sean Couturier scored the lone Flyers goal about midway through the third period.
Steve Mason returned and turned aside 30 Dallas shots. It marked the second year in a row the Flyers dropped their lone home game against the Stars by a 2-1 score.
The biggest challenge for Philadelphia early this season seems to be scoring. They faced a similar problem last year. Last year the problem was a lack of secondary scoring. This year it is just the opposite.
Through the first five games the Flyers have just eight goals scored. Of those eight, the top line is only responsible for one. The Giroux line has just the one goal and a total of four points between them.
Michal Neuvirth figures to get the start tonight between the pipes for the Flyers. Neuvirth has not allowed a goal in either of his first two starts. He will need another strong performance tonight for Philadelphia to have a chance.
The Bruins have won their last games following three straight home losses to start the season. They have also had a three day break and would figure to have the fresher legs.
David Krejci paces the Bruins attack. Krejci has four goals and nine points good for a four way tie for second in the NHL in scoring. Torey Krug leads the team with six assists.
Despite their sub .500 record, Boston is a team that can score. They have 18 goals through their first five games good for a 3.60 goals for per game average which is second in the NHL right now.
UPDATE: Brayden Schenn is out of the lineup with an undisclosed upper-body injury. Sam Gagner will re-enter the lineup to fill in for Schenn.
Game Notes
- Power Play: Flyers (20th, 7th on road), Bruins (1st, T-2nd at home)
- Penalty Kill: Flyers (19th, 28th on road), Bruins (27th, 25th at home)
- The Flyers are 0-3-2 in their last five games in Boston.
- Milestone Watch: Mark Streit needs three points to reach 100 as a Flyer.
Flyers Projected Lineup
Line 1: Michael Raffl-Claude Giroux-Jake Voracek
Line 2: Matt Read-Sean Couturier-Wayne Simmonds
Line 3: Sam Gagner-Scott Laughton-R.J. Umberger
Line 4: Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Ryan White
D-Pair 1: Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
D-Pair 2: Michael Del Zotto-Evgeny Medvedev
D-Pair 3: Luke Schenn-Radko Gudas
Goalie: Michal Neuvirth
Scratches: Brandon Manning, Vincent Lecavalier, Brayden Schenn
Where to Watch
TV: NBCSN
Radio; 97.5 FM
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
