After a much needed 4 day break, the Bruins (31-15-3) are back at it again tonight against the Flyers (25-21-6) in the first of three meetings this season.
As of yesterday, both Dougie and Chris Kelly have been cleared for contact. It is unclear whether or not the two of them will play today since Coach has yet to determine if they need more practice time. As such, the lines may change based on whether or not the two of them are ready.
As of yesterday, both Dougie and Chris Kelly have been cleared for contact. It is unclear whether or not the two of them will play today since Coach has yet to determine if they need more practice time. As such, the lines may change based on whether or not the two of them are ready.
Bruins Projected Lines
Lucic-Krejci-Iginla
Marchand-Bergeron-Smith
Soderberg-Kelly/Spooner-Eriksson
Paille-Campbell-Thornton
Chara-Miller
Boychuk-Krug
Bartkowski-Hamilton
Marchand-Bergeron-Smith
Soderberg-Kelly/Spooner-Eriksson
Paille-Campbell-Thornton
Chara-Miller
Boychuk-Krug
Bartkowski-Hamilton
Team Stats
Team: The Flyers are the definition of a middle of the pack team. They are 4th in the Metropolitan Division with 56 points (which doesn't say much because the Metropolitan Division outside of the Pittsburgh Penguins is a hot mess). They have a -11 goal differential and average about 2.8 GA/G (19th in the league) and average around 2.65 GF/G (16th in the league). Their power play is also mediocre with a conversion rate of 18.5%, which is 19th in the league.The Flyers are coming into this game hoping to break a two game losing streak, but in all honesty it doesn't look promising. They're 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and are 13-9-1 at home. They also have a 37-42-10 all time record against the Bruins.
Players: Offensively, the Flyers are once again mediocre. 16 players have negative ratings ranging from Lecavalier's -13 to Simmond's -1. The rest go from even to Timonen's +5. Claude Giroux obviously leads the team with 46 points off 14 goals and 32 assists while Wayne Simmonds leads the team with 17 goals (39th in the league).
Goalie: Steve Mason is getting the nod tonight. He's played in 38 games with a 2.57 GAA (38th in the league) and a .915 SV% (37th in the league). He also has a 19-12-5 record. Mason has a tendency to struggle with consecutive pad slides because he can't move fast enough to block pucks after moving to one side.
Players: Offensively, the Flyers are once again mediocre. 16 players have negative ratings ranging from Lecavalier's -13 to Simmond's -1. The rest go from even to Timonen's +5. Claude Giroux obviously leads the team with 46 points off 14 goals and 32 assists while Wayne Simmonds leads the team with 17 goals (39th in the league).
Goalie: Steve Mason is getting the nod tonight. He's played in 38 games with a 2.57 GAA (38th in the league) and a .915 SV% (37th in the league). He also has a 19-12-5 record. Mason has a tendency to struggle with consecutive pad slides because he can't move fast enough to block pucks after moving to one side.
Team: One can be sure that the Bruins are definitely not a mediocre team, despite the recent series of unfortunate loses. We are still first in the Atlantic Division with 65 points. We have a +32 goal differential with an average of 2.16 GA/g (2nd in the league) and 2.86 GF/game (8th in the league). Our power play is ranked 13th in the league with a conversion rate of 19.1% while our penalty kill is 12th with a success rate of 82.8%. With the four day break, the Bruins are coming into this game rejuvenated and looking to extend their win streak to two games. We are 5-4-1 in our last 10 games and are 12-10-1 away.
Players: 18 of our players have positive ratings ranging from Boychuk and Bergeron's +21 to Campbell's +3. The rest range from even to Soderberg's -2. Krejci still leads the team with 39 points while Marchand leads the team with 16 goals (50th in the league).
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will be starting in the pipes tonight. Tuukka has played in 38 games with a 22-12-3 record. He has a 2.11 GAA (14th in the league) and a .929 SV% (9th in the league).
Players: 18 of our players have positive ratings ranging from Boychuk and Bergeron's +21 to Campbell's +3. The rest range from even to Soderberg's -2. Krejci still leads the team with 39 points while Marchand leads the team with 16 goals (50th in the league).
Goalie: Tuukka Rask will be starting in the pipes tonight. Tuukka has played in 38 games with a 22-12-3 record. He has a 2.11 GAA (14th in the league) and a .929 SV% (9th in the league).
Bruins Keys to Winning
1. The Flyers defense is struggling, especially with Gustafsson out. They've been holey, have issues with turnovers and generally aren't supplying very much support for the team. The Bruins need to recognize this and take advantage of it.
2. Despite the mediocrity, the Flyers do have some skilled offensive talent in the form of Hartnell, Simmonds, Giroux and Read. We're obviously going to want to watch these guys and take away as many scoring and passing opportunities from them as we can.
3. Driving to the net is going to be crucial today. With Mason having issues with his pad saves, we need to get him to move around as much as possible and shooting from the boards is not going to do that. We need traffic in front and consistent offensive pressure to get him to move and to score.
2. Despite the mediocrity, the Flyers do have some skilled offensive talent in the form of Hartnell, Simmonds, Giroux and Read. We're obviously going to want to watch these guys and take away as many scoring and passing opportunities from them as we can.
3. Driving to the net is going to be crucial today. With Mason having issues with his pad saves, we need to get him to move around as much as possible and shooting from the boards is not going to do that. We need traffic in front and consistent offensive pressure to get him to move and to score.
Score Prediction: 3-2 Bruins Win
Until after the game,
Keep calm and Bergeron!
Keep calm and Bergeron!