There are 82 games in the regular season, HW will do a deeper dive into the matchups and storylines for the ones we all have circled on our calendars.
The Flyers (8-4-3) are coming off yet another heart-breaking SO loss on Thursday night against the two-time defending Cup winner, Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Matrix-esc mind-bend that IS Flyers fandom was on full display; 
- A two-goal lead in the first
- Letting up three straight
- Captain Claude netting the tie with :08 left
- Get smoked in the shootout.
A point is valuable, two would have certainly delighted, but a point is nice. With the OT win against Calgary on Tuesday, the Flyers have a chance to cap a solid AF week with a win over a familiar-foe – the Boston Bruins (8-5-0).
Here are three rivalry storylines to watch for Flyers v. Bruins:
BRADLEYYYY COME OUT AND PLAY-AYE
Somehow the Bruins had a full week off from games. How the hell does that happen in an Olympic shortened season??
Boston is coming in rested after a “decent” start but still searching for the identity beyond their top line and without the under-appreciated netminder Tukka Rask. They have a top line; arguably the best top line in hockey, with Bergeron (6G, 7A), Pastrnak (4G, 9A), and Marchand (8G, 11A) that can decide a game with their dominance.
Ahhh Bradley Marchand – you little twit. I am brought back to the top 3 happiest moments of my life when I hear your name; two of which are the birth of my kids, the third is your magnificent penalty shot whiff against the Flyers to lose the game.
BUT NOW WE JOUST.
The Bruins are hunting their ‘21/’22 identity and so far, it is great top line, solid first-pairing D, and a lot of “unproven potential”. They are winning games against team they are supposed to win games against but struggling against the mid-to upper echelon of the schedule.
Can the Flyer’s 7th ranked GA/G ranking shut that top line down enough to force the rest of the Bruins roster to beat them?
Easier said than done…
CONCERNED ABOUT COOTS
Limiting that top line of the Bruins – and every team – typically falls on the shoulders of Selke award winner Sean Couturier and his line. With the home-ice and the final line change advantage this evening, Coots figures to get the call again.
But is he all there right now?
Coots has not looked like the 70’s throwback toothless stick-surgeon we are accustomed to.
It is not necessarily that he is playing bad it is just not to the level that we have seen from him in terms of controlling a game while on the ice.
Could he be laboring an injury? With Hayes out is he forcing himself through it? Have the Flyers just been up against top teams – and he has had his hand full?
Not reporting anything but keep an eye on Coots tonight to see if we get our guy back to form.
BEING A PIECE OF SH*T OUT THERE
The most polarizing off-season acquisition for the Flyers was brutish defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen coming over from Buffalo.
Playing against Risto eight times last year was brutal. He SUCKS to play against.
Big. Strong. Nasty. Dirty. Now delightful!
One of his first press conferences this summer he said, “I want to be a piece of sh*t out there” in reference to his style of play.
We are seeing that come to fruition as he and Travis Sanheim have made that 2nd D pairing a force as the two are getting more and more comfortable. With Ellis out for the Holiday’s that Risto/Sanheim pairing is going to be vital in relieving the pressure from Provy and Braun who typically draw the top line coverage.
They will certainly have their hands full tonight against the Bruins – look for Risto to keep the physicality up and get some of the hot-head Bruin players off their game.
Get the bell bottoms and butterfly collar ready – we got a Saturday night dance floor to dominate tonight. GO FLYERS!
Follow Matt Casey on Twitter
Listen to the Pod Street Bullies
Photography by Heather Barry (©)
For more Flyers coverage, follow and subscribe to High & Wide Hockey on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube!
Discover more from HIGH AND WIDE HOCKEY
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
