Flyers vs. Bruins preview: This ain't gonna be easy

by Travis Hughes on Jan 22, 2012 12:43 PM EST

3 p.m. today
Wells Fargo Center
TV: CSN Philly, NESN
RADIO: 94 WIP

Today's game against the Boston Bruins has been circled on the calendar for the last month, it seems, following the 6-0 drubbing the B's gave the Flyers on December 17. We figured all along that this game would be a sort of barometer; a test to see where the orange and black stand against the best team in the league.

But then Danny Briere went down with a concussion yesterday. And then Jaromir Jagr left with a lower body injury. Zac Rinaldo, too. James van Riemsdyk is also still out. Suddenly, it's like a hospital again around these parts, and that doesn't bode too well when trying to beat the completely-healthy-except-Marc-Savard Bruins.

Ben Holmstrom and Tom Sestito will be in the lineup today as replacements. No idea what the lines are going to look like, and we won't have an idea until warmups begin considering there's no morning skate today. Ilya Bryzgalov may or may not get the start today. The Flyers haven't announced a starter as of this writing, but Bryz was phenomenal yesterday against the Devils and there's that whole thing about trying to get him in a groove that is apparently important.

The Bruins are really, really good at hockey, but they lost in overtime on Saturday against the Rangers in a heartbreaker when Marian Gaborik scored with just a few seconds left. Tuukka Rask started that one, so there's a good chance we'll see Tim Thomas today. He's pretty good, too, so that sucks.

Gonna be a tough game for just about every reason you can imagine. Like the Rangers, it feels like the Bruins just have the Flyers number of late -- the playoff sweep doesn't help things. It'll be pretty damn satisfying if the boys pull out a win, though. Game thread at 2 p.m. CSN has the game, as does 94WIP. NESN if you're into Jack Edwards being insane.

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2 1/2 hours of Jack Edwards! I am pumped

by wdrGrover on Jan 22, 2012 1:02 PM EST reply actions

I almost never post in the game threads, likewise the pregame threads. This is probably another kiss-of-death to any positive fortune the Flyers may have left (by me posting today) but I’ve been thinking about our lines today and wanted to see reactions:

Hartnell – Giroux – Voracek
Read – Couturier – Simmonds
Talbot – Schenn – Sestito
Zolnierczyk – Holmstrom – Shelley

Also, by my count we’ll have 8 rookies starting today. That’s just crazy.

Often wrong, but never in doubt.

by A Flyers Phamily on Jan 22, 2012 1:02 PM EST reply actions

Zolnierczyk deserves those third line minutes more than Sestito. Just bury Tito with Shelley, and have Holmstrom center them. 3 minutes of ES TOI, and throw Holmstrom out on the PK.

Keeping alive the old Vaudeville joke, "I'd rather be dead than play Philadelphia."

by Snevik on Jan 22, 2012 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

I agree Z deserves those minutes, but the Sestito – Holmstrom – Shelley notion gives me the creeps. At least Z’s speed would get his forechecking and backchecking started while Shelley is making his way up the ice.

Often wrong, but never in doubt.

by A Flyers Phamily on Jan 22, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

Replacing one Czech with another Czech

Bryz has low self esteem
Awaiting the return of the G-stache

by Philly37 on Jan 22, 2012 1:43 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

Just what we need in the midst of all these injuries…to play a team like the Bruins. They never cheap shot anybody…

Not holding out much hope for this one, but a miracle would be nice.

"I wouldn’t run if there was a fire. I wouldn’t run anywhere. I hate running." - O. Munn

by doubleh on Jan 22, 2012 1:03 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Not even Gamecenter live can save me from Jack Edwards today.Sucks to go to school in Boston sometimes, haha.

by ryan1 on Jan 22, 2012 1:03 PM EST reply actions

I’m in the same boat living in Maine. I feel for you.

by wdrGrover on Jan 22, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Bryz is in, per Panotch, who is trying really hard to make this “Bryzard of Oz” nickname catch on.

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 22, 2012 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Which means it should be ignored.

by musicheretic on Jan 22, 2012 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

by wdrGrover on Jan 22, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

More like Bryzard of Odd….

goldomatic, who is King in the art of wishful thinking

by goldomatic on Jan 22, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

Bryzard of Ood

Songalov

by j reed on Jan 22, 2012 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

There can be only one Oz.

by j reed on Jan 22, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Bryzard of Oz

Hate it. Takes longer to say than his real name.

Lightning strikes once, Hextall strikes twice!
"I think there is virtue in pissing off idiots." - Fehr and Balanced

by hintzy64 on Jan 22, 2012 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

This game will be interesting.

And how do I define interesting?

“Oh god, oh god, we’re all gonna die.”

Madly in love with Jaromir Jagr's brilliant smile and epic goal salute.

Sean Couturier and Matt Read for joint Calder Trophy winners!

Ian Laperriere (EE-an luh-PAIR-ee-YAIR), proper noun. Definition: Bad-assery on skates

by Chemistry66 on Jan 22, 2012 1:42 PM EST via Android app reply actions

Firefly reference FTW

Jonathan Toews- "Oh Captain, My Captain"

by Hawks&Flyers on Jan 22, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

That sums up how I’ve been feeling about this game

They took me out of Philly and sent me to Indy.
Max Talbot- My favorite French-Canadian

by lkmiller on Jan 22, 2012 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Girls that reference Firefly are SOOOO hot!

by musicheretic on Jan 22, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Ference is officially out. Suspended.

So we’re without three of our top six forwards, but they’re without their #6 defenseman! Fair trade, right?

by everybodyhitswoohoo on Jan 22, 2012 1:48 PM EST reply actions

If its any saving grace, Ference has been quite productive recently, so it’s a small sigh of relief. Doesn’t improve things much, but it certainly doesn’t hurt us.

Jagr shoots, Jagr scores!!!!!!

by Vinny A on Jan 22, 2012 1:54 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions