Need to Know: Bruins at Flyers

PHILADELPHIA - After another lengthy four-day break following the season opener, the Bruins will get back at it tonight as they begin their first road trip of the season with a tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
"At the end of the day, not much you can do about it, but should get a little more regular now," Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of the unusually light schedule to start the 2021-22 season. "The players would be the first to tell you they're sick of practicing and want to get out and playing. As a coach, we have some new bodies this year, so we get more looks at them; that's always a good thing."

Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said that while it has been a bit tough to wait so long between games - Boston also had a 10-day break following their final preseason contest - the layoffs have given the club some extra time to work with the bevy of new faces dotting the lineup.
"We're excited to get going here. A lot more games coming up. That's the schedule we've been dealt," said Bergeron. "As far as too much practicing, I don't think so. You try to make the most of it, work on things. We have a lot of new players, new faces. It is a good thing in a way.
"We're able to get used to one another and for them to get used to the system and talk a bit more. Usually, you don't have that much time to practice so now we really have time to go in depth on all the little details of the game. It's not a bad thing."

Here's what else you need to know ahead of tonight's 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop on TNT and 98.5 The Sports Hub:

On the Road Again

The Bruins are in the midst of their first road trip of the year, which under normal circumstances is standard procedure for NHLers. But with COVID-19 restrictions being eased this season, the players are now able to resume their road trip routines, including dinners with teammates the night before a game.
"We went out for a nice meal, definitely a nice change compared to last year," said Bergeron. "It's still an adjustment and we go along with it, but at the same time it's a lot better. It's nice to be able to go out and just enjoy a nice meal and be with your teammates, walking around…all that stuff was nice to do last night."
For a newcomer like Nick Foligno, road trips can be key in helping to form relationships with teammates.
"The road usually helps get to know everybody a little bit better," said Foligno. "You just have less distractions. You're together, you're on the bus, you're on the plane, you're in the hotel, going out to dinner. It's always a nice way to get to know guys. Luckily for us, we've had a lot of time before games, even through training camp, just to bond.
"That's one thing I was impressed with was how quickly our group has come together. It's always nice to get on the road and get that road warrior mentality going."

Opposing View

Like the Bruins, Philadelphia's schedule has been light to start the year as the Flyers have played just two games, including a 6-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night. Joel Farabee is pacing the Flyers with four points and two goals through two games, while Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny have also chipped in two goals apiece.
Veteran blue liner Keith Yandle, signed as a free agent in July, has three assists to lead a new-look defense corps that also includes Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen, both of whom were acquired via trade during the offseason.
Backup goalie Martin Jones will get the start in net for the Flyers in relief of Carter Hart, who started Philly's first two contests of the season.
"They're a deep team," said Bergeron. "They have a lot of firepower up front, guys that play the right way, play hard. I think defensively they're a team that plays smart, plays to their system well and is hard to play against. For us, it's about making sure we're trying to deny their speed, especially on entries, neutral zone, really taking care of that. They're a really good rush team so I guess that's where our focus is gonna start tonight."

Wait, There's More

Wednesday's Projected Lineup

FORWARDS
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall - Charlie Coyle - Craig Smith
Jake DeBrusk - Erik Haula - Nick Foligno
Trent Frederic - Tomas Nosek - Karson Kuhlman
DEFENSEMEN
Derek Forbort - Charlie McAvoy
Mike Reilly - Brandon Carlo
Matt Grzelcyk - Connor Clifton
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark