Preview: Bruins will face Flyers in the last week of the preseason

Just the facts

When: Tonight, 7:00 PM

Where: TD Garden – Boston, MA

How to follow: NESN, 98.5 The Sports Hub

Opposing perspective: Broad Street Hockey

Know your enemy

• While the Bruins made some roster cuts last weekend, the Flyers had made their first round of cuts, 8, on September 27.
• The Flyers faced the New York Islanders last night for their fifth preseason game. After tonight they have one more practice match to go. According to Broad Street Hockey, the Flyers used a lot of guys last night trying to make the final lineup.
• Philadelphia is 3-1-0 heading into yesterday’s game against the Islanders.
• They also got their first look at goalkeeper Alexei Kolosov.

Game notes

• The Boston Bruins preseason enters the home season as they face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight for their fifth exhibition game and last on their home court.
• It is the second match of the preseason between the two clubs. The two met on Saturday in Philly, where the Bruins fell 3-2 in overtime. So far in the preseason, the B’s are 1-2-1.
• While tonight’s lineup has not yet been announced, it was at least announced yesterday that Joonas Korpisalo will be in net for the season opener next Tuesday. If You Were Living Under a Grenade Yesterday, Cam Neely also dropped that they had offered Jeremy Swayman a $64 million contract, but then Swayman’s agent fired back and said that was the first they heard of that song… drama.
• On those lines, Brandon Bussi and Korpisalo each had a whole game between the pipes. Korpisalo had a .925 save percentage against the Flyers on Saturday, while Bussi had an .875 save percentage in his entire game on Thursday. The B’s could follow the trend and give Michael DiPietro the entire 60 minutes since he’s the only one who hasn’t prepared for a full game yet – we’ll have to wait and see.
• While we still won’t see Elias Lindholm tonight, it’s encouraging that he’s returned to practice. In the meantime, Don Sweeney said Lindholm’s absence gives the Bruins more opportunity to evaluate Tyler Johnson.
• Expect more special teams mixes tonight and we’re different guys who fit best in the system. Sweeney said Lindholm and Johnson are being looked at for the power play and that bumper spot. But the Bruins are also looking at the PK this year, with some big killers gone and where guys like Matt Poitras or Justin Brazeau can step up.
• Matt Poitras has played in three of the four preseason games so far. He really excelled and showed this year what kind of center he can be. As the team gets closer to opening night, we hope the lines reflect a second-line center position and who his wings could be.
• While Bruins management said this isn’t the last they’ll see of Fabian Lysell from camp despite being sent to Providence this weekend, there are still a few notable forwards to look out for: Cole Koepke and Riley Tufte.
• See you tonight!