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Boston Bruins: Getting to Know the New Division Opponents for 2021

By Scott Roche

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Tyler Pitlick #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Connor Clifton #75 of the Boston Bruins collide in the third period at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bruins won 2-0. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 10: Tyler Pitlick #18 of the Philadelphia Flyers and Connor Clifton #75 of the Boston Bruins collide in the third period at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bruins won 2-0. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 22: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts against the Winnipeg Jets at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 22: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts against the Winnipeg Jets at the Wells Fargo Center on February 22, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Flyers

Prior to the season pause in March, the Flyers were the hottest team in the league and had their nine-game winning streak snapped by the Bruins on March 10 with a 2-0 loss. In the Round Robin in Toronto over the summer, they claimed the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs after winning all three games over the Bruins, Capitals, and Lightning.

After beating the Canadiens in the First Round, Philly lost to the Islanders in the semifinals. Since leaving Toronto in August, there has not much turnover on the roster heading into 2021.

Defensemen Matt Niskanen retired and Philadelphia replaced him with former Calgary Flame Erik Gustafsson on a one-year deal. Upfront, the Flyers returning Sean Couturier and his 22 goals and 37 assists, as well as Jacob Voracek who had 12 goals and 44 assists. Claude Giroux enters his 14th season with Philly after scoring 21 goals and dishing out 32 assists in 2019-20.

In goal, 22-year-old Carter Hart broke onto the scene full-time last season going 24-13-3 with a 2.42 GAA and a .914 SV%.

In his first season behind the bench, Alain Vigneault was a big reason for the Flyers turnaround from a .500 season in 2018-19 to a 41-21-7 regular season. He was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award for the top coach in the league with the winner Bruce Cassidy of the Bruins and John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

As usual, the Flyers will be a tough and physical opponent for the Bruins, who will need to be ready each time they take the ice against each other.

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