The Bruins are back in action on home ice today for their first matinée game of the season.
They’ll play host to a struggling Philadelphia Flyers team that is still looking for its first win of the new campaign.
Given the early start time, you get the ever-popular PUBLIC PREVIEW!
What to know
- It has been a rough start to the season for the Flyers, who come into this afternoon’s game at 0-3-2. They’re one of just three NHL teams without a win to start the season, and the only one of those three in the Eastern Conference.
- They lost their last two games in regulation, dropping 4-1 and 2-1 road decisions to Tampa and Ottawa, respectively.
- Offense has been a challenge for the Flyers, who come into this afternoon’s game dead last in the NHL at just 1.20 GF/G. Unfortunately for Philly, they’re also allowing the eighth-most goals per game on average, so…not ideal.
- After a good season for the Flyers last year, former Bruin Dan Vladar has gotten off to a tough start this season. He’s 0-2-0 with a whopping 5.12 GAA.
- At least some sections of Flyers punditry are calling this a must-win game at this early juncture of the season. That may be a little extreme, but if nothing else, it’s pretty clear that pressure is mounting on Rick Tocchet and the Flyers.
- Marco Sturm noted that Sean Kuraly was “pretty upset” about being a healthy scratch again on Thursday night. While it’s certainly understandable for Kuraly to be mad about not playing, Matt Poitras has played well since drawing back into the lineup.
- After scoring three power play goals in Thursday’s win over Utah, you hope that the Bruins can build on that momentum this afternoon. Philly’s PK has been below average this season, with the Flyers sitting at 22nd in the league as of this morning.
Given the 1 PM Saturday start time and the fact that this is Bruins-Flyers, you could be forgiven for assuming this would be a national broadcast.
However, because of college football and all of that stuff, these early season
matinées tend to be local broadcasts instead, and this one is no different: today’s game will be broadcast on NESN and 98.5 The Sports Hub, though it’ll be on NHL Network out of market as well.
Bruins! Flyers! WHILE IT’S STILL LIGHT OUTSIDE!
Discuss.
