Bruins vs Flyers 4/5/21: Boston looks to continue streak vs PHI

Feb 21, 2021; Stateline, Nevada, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in a NHL Outdoors hockey game at Lake Tahoe. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2021; Stateline, Nevada, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) celebrates with defenseman Jeremy Lauzon (55) and center Patrice Bergeron (37) after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in a NHL Outdoors hockey game at Lake Tahoe. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins have had the Philadelphia Flyers‘ number so far this season. Through five games against Philly in 2021, the B’s have yet to fall to the Flyers. They’ll look to extend this streak to six games tonight.

The last time these two teams met, they were playing outdoors next to Lake Tahoe. The Black and Gold surprisingly dominated this game as they were severely shorthanded at their blue line with Jeremy Lauzon going being injured with a broken hand in his first shift. Thanks to a David Pastrnak hat trick, Boston won this game 7-3.

Since then, the Flyers have played around the same as they are currently three games above .500 while they were four games above .500 after Lake Tahoe. While it doesn’t seem like it with all the “change is needed” talk for the B’s, they’ve also been playing similar to then, going from eight games about .500 to now nine games above.

The Flyers will be looking for revenge with the embarrassing memories of Lake Tahoe still in their minds. The B’s will most likely have to withstand an early push by Philly, but should be able to handle it and then be able to capitalize on an opponent with iffy defense.

Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers projected lineups.

Boston Bruins
Record: 19-10-5 (43 points)

The B’s will be without defenseman Brandon Carlo tonight, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. In his place will be veteran Steve Kampfer. Kevan Miller is also still unavailable, but could play tomorrow.

Jake DeBrusk will be returning tonight after a battle with COVID-19. To make room for him in the lineup, Anders Bjork will be a healthy scratch and DeBrusk will play on the third line.

Tuukka Rask is still unavailable with an upper-body injury but skated today and should travel with the team for their upcoming road trip. Jaroslav Halak will also be unavailable for tonight as he tested positive for COVID-19. Dan Vladar, who was already scheduled to start tonight, will be in net with Jeremy Swayman backing him up.

Expect the Bruins to look like this tonight:

Marchand – Bergeron – Smith
Ritchie – Krejci – Pastrnak
DeBrusk – Coyle – Senyshyn
Frederic – Kuraly – Kuhlman

Grzelcyk – McAvoy
Zboril – Kampfer
Lauzon – Clifton

Vladar (Swayman)

Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 17-14-5 (39 points)

The Flyers are relatively healthy and don’t have any major changes to their lineup to report.

Expect the Flyers to look like this tonight:

van Riemsdyk – Couturier – Farabee
Konecny – Giroux – Voracek
Laughton – Hayes – Patrick
Lindblom – Laczynski – Aube-Kubel

Provorov – Braun
Sanheim – Myers
Morin – Gostisbehere

Hart (Elliott)

Where and when to watch Boston Bruins vs Philadelphia Flyers.

Time: 7 PM EST

Location: TD Garden

TV Broadcast: NESNplus, NHL Network, NBCSP

Radio Broadcast: 98.5 The Sports Hub

As I said earlier, I think the Flyers will try to get some revenge on the B’s for embarrassing them at Lake Tahoe. If the Bruins can withstand a predicted early push from the Flyers, they should be in good hands to win this game.