Flyers get reinforcements, Rask back on target for Boston

The Flyers off Tuesday night with their previously scheduled game against Carolina postponed with the team still experiencing various COVID issues. Many of those players have returned since, when the team returned to the ice to face Boston Bruins on Thursday night.

This is a game with two teams going in opposite directions. The Flyers have lost five games in a row since December 30. The Bruins only had a 5-1 win over the Montreal Canadianiens on Wednesday night and have won five of their last six since New Year’s Day.

Game time is 7pm

Team Leaders

Claude Giroux back to the squad after missing the last three games on the COVID roster. He turned 34 on Wednesday and continues to deliver consistent production numbers, leading the team with 29 points from 32 games this season. Giroux had two assists in his final game in Los Angeles on New Year’s Day, and had five points in the previous four.

After going through four consecutive matches with no points, David Pastrnak together lasted four games with five goals and one assist for six points. In Wednesday’s game against Montreal, Pastrnak was dropped from the group, even though his team scored five goals. Pastrnak has 16 goals and 28 points in 24 career games with the Flyers.

Carter Hart back on target for the Flyers. Hart had a rough start in his final game against Pittsburgh, conceding six goals from 32 shots. Since returning from a time on the COVID list, Hart has lost both starts. His last win was on December 14 against New Jersey, where he stopped 26 of 27 shots.

Look who’s back in the fold for the Bruins. Tuukka Rask back on the ice for his season debut. It’s fitting that he’ll be called up against the Flyers, a team he’s had great success against. In 26 career games, Rask has a 19-2-4 record against the Flyers with 2.06 GAAs and 0.927 percent saves.

Probable teams

Flyers Scratches: Rasmus Ristolainen (COVID protocol), Sean Couturier (trauma), Ryan Ellis (trauma), Nate Thompson (injury), Derick Brassard (injury)

Bruising: Derek Forbort (COVID protocol), Connor Clifton (COVID protocol), Nick Foligno (trauma), Jakub Zboril (trauma), John Moore (trauma), Karson Kuhlman (well)

Team Notes

• Flyers: Flyers take Giroux, Travis Konecny, Travis Sanheim, and Ivan Provorov all back in the product line from the COVID protocol. Justin Braun will also play after two days on the COVID list before returning on Wednesday. Rasmus Ristolainen off the list after entering the COVID protocol on Tuesday.
• Bruins: There is only one change to the Bruins roster. John Moore out with an injury and Tyler Lewington come in.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (#26), Bruins (#9)
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (18th), Bruins (9th)
• Recent History vs. Bruins
  • October 20, 2021 – Flyers 6, Bruins 3 (at PHI)
  • November 20, 2021 – Bruins 5, Flyers 2 (at PHI)
• Flyers Leaders vs. Bruins
  • Keith Yandle – 31 GP, 3 G, 25 A, 28 P
  • James van Riemsdyk – 46 GP, 18 G, 19 A, 37 P
  • Claude Giroux – 48 GP, 10 G, 25 A, 35 P
  • Travis Konecny ​​- 21 GP, 6 G, 7 A, 13 P
  • Carter Hart – 10 GP, 4-4-2, 3.74 GAA, 0.880 SV%
• Milestone clock
  • Travis Konecny ​​needs a goal to hit 100 for his career.

Where to watch?
TV: ESPN
Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network

Kevin Durso is a Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN and Flyers editor for SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.

Philadelphia Flyers uniforms through the years