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Winter Classic Gameday: Flyers vs. Bruins |
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PREVIEW (8:30 AM)
While many of the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins players participating in today's Winter Classic event at Boston's Fenway Park played outdoor hockey for fun as children, that's hardly the same as playing at an NHL pace outdoors in front of a huge crowd and an international television audience. Once the initial novelty of the venue wears off, the most intruiging aspect of the Winter Classic each year is seeing how much effect (if any) the elements have on the game play. There is light snow in the forecast today after a snowy day yesterday.
With a game such as this, it's a little tougher to analyze the matchp the same way one would if the game were played at TD Garden or the Wachovia Center. For instance, I don't know if looking at special teams performance this season is relevant under the conditions of the outdoor game. The Bruins' home power play is connecting at a 22.2% clip while the Flyers' road penalty kill has scuffled (79.5%). No matter where the game is played, however, the Flyers need to play a disciplined game to win.
Although I don't think there will be a carryover from the two previous meetings between the teams this season (both Philadelphia wins) is worth noting that the Flyers cranked out a 3-1 win in Boston back on Dec. 14. That was just about the lone Philadelphia highlight during the Flyers' six-week-long nosedive that preceded the club's current four-game winning streak. The Bruins have had some ups and downs of their own of late, winning just five of their last 10 (but gaining points in seven of those tilts and emerging victorious in four of their last five games. Both clubs are coming off convincing shutout victories in their final game of the 2009 calendar year.
A big part of the reason why the Flyers have looked so much better of late has been the returns of checking liners Blair Betts and Darroll Powe. Even more important, Simon Gagne has begun to round back to form and is coming off a hat trick against the Rangers. The line of Mike Richards, Gagne and Claude Giroux has been outstanding in the last several games.
Meanwhile, a big game today from Jeff Carter's line would go a long way toward a Philadelphia victory. This game provides a golden opportunity for Carter to show he belongs on Team Canada as an injury replacement at the Olympics should the final roster need to be amended. Carter needs to treat the rest of this season as a challenge to establish greater consistency and avoid those prolonged droughts that have been characteristic of his entire career except for the pre-All Star Game portion of last season. Carter has played well of late, as has Danny Briere.
On paper, today's goaltending matchup sounds more like a mismatch. Tim Thomas, of course, is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner while Michael Leighton is generally regarded as a fringe NHL goaltender. However, Leighton has played very well during the Flyers' current winning streak and has shown himself capable of outplaying more vaunted opponents (such as the Rangers' Henrik Lundqvist) if the club in front of him does its part.
Boston is a club that spreads the offense. With 103 goals scored, the only Eastern Conference clubs that have tallied fewer goals to date are Carolina, Tampa Bay and the Islanders. Patrice Bergeron leads the way with 30 points, while Marc Savard has 22 points in 24 games. The Bruins' leading goal scorer, Marco Sturm, has 13 goals and has tallied in four of his past five games.
Flyers starting lineup
Hartnell - Carter - Briere
Gagne - Richards - Giroux
JVR - Powe - Asham
Carcillo - Betts - Laperriere
Carle - Pronger
Coburn - Timonen
Syvret - Bartulis
Leighton
[Boucher]
Bruins starting lineup
Begin - Savard - Sturm
Paille - Bergeron - Recchi
Wheeler - Krejci - Ryder
Thornton - Sobotka- Bitz
Chara - Wideman
Ference - Boychuk
Hunwick - Morris
Thomas
[Rask]
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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