Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins November 2nd 2024
The Bruins and Flyers are set to face off at 1:00 ET on NBCS. The Flyers will host the game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The Bruins are favored by -1.5 in this Eastern conference contest against the Flyers. The game’s over/under currently sits at 6 goals.
Boston vs. Philadelphia Key Information
- Teams: Bruins at Flyers
- Where: Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia
- Date: Saturday, November 2nd
- Betting Odds BOS -140 | PHI +118 O/U 6
The Bruins Can Win If…
Boston fell to 4-6-1 after an 8-2 loss to the Hurricanes. The Bruins were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 10 goals went well over the pre-game line of 6.
After the Hurricanes scored first, the Bruins tied it up with a goal from Brad Marchand at 13:11 in the first period. However, the game quickly got out of hand, as Carolina scored the next seven goals.
Boston’s offense struggled in their 8-2 loss to Carolina, managing just 15 shots on goal. Brad Marchand netted his second goal of the season on a power play, while Hampus Lindholm added his second goal of the year in the second period.
David Pastrnak picked up two assists, bringing his season total to four. The Bruins had 13 giveaways in the game.
Boston’s defense struggled against the Hurricanes, giving up 8 goals on 37 shots. The Bruins had tied the game at 1-1 in the first period, but they allowed three late goals in the first, two more in the second, and two more in the third. Jeremy Swayman finished with 16 saves and a 72.7% save percentage. The Bruins’ defense also had 6 takeaways and 32 hits.
- Boston has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 1-2 and an over-under mark of 2-1.
- The Bruins have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. Across these games, their puck line record was just 3-7, while posting an over-under record of 6-4.
The Flyers Can Win If…
The Flyers improved to 4-6-1 with a 2-1 win over the Blues. Philadelphia was favored on the puck line, but didn’t cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.
Garnet Hathaway opened the scoring for the Flyers in the first period, and Bobby Brink broke a 1-1 tie with a goal at 16:59 in the third. Both teams had 21 shots on goal.
The Flyers took 21 shots on goal in their 2-1 win over the Blues, with Bobby Brink netting his third goal of the season and Garnet Hathaway scoring his first. Philadelphia scored their first goal 8:48 into the first period and added their second at the 16:59 mark of the third.
Brink scored on one of his two shots on goal, while Hathaway also found the net on one of his two shots. The Flyers recorded 10 giveaways and were held scoreless on the power play.
Defensively, the Flyers will look to build on their previous performance, where they allowed just one goal to St. Louis. Samuel Ersson recorded 20 saves with a 95.2% save percentage, and the defense added 8 takeaways and 10 hits. The lone goal they allowed came at 9:58 in the 3rd period.
- The Flyers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 1-2 in these games.
- Philadelphia has put together a record of 3-7 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 3-7 and an over-under mark of 6-4.
The Lean
For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Flyers to pick up on a win over the Bruins at home. With the moneyline sitting at +118, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Flyers straight-up.
Our projections have the Flyers pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Flyers, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.
If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.
The Boston Bruins, struggling to regain their footing, will face the Philadelphia Flyers with the hope of turning their recent fortunes around. Set for a Saturday afternoon showdown, this game comes just days after the Flyers delivered a decisive 2-0 victory over the Bruins on Boston’s home ice.
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Flyers’ Recent Resurgence: Key Factors
The Philadelphia Flyers have been on a mission to prove their resilience following a six-game losing streak (0-5-1). In their last two contests, they not only secured victories but did so with notable defensive discipline and standout goaltending from Samuel Ersson. On Tuesday, Ersson’s 23-save performance was pivotal in blanking Boston. Building on that, he delivered 20 saves in a 2-1 win against the St. Louis Blues.
Samuel Ersson’s Steady Performance: The 23-year-old Swedish goaltender has been a revelation for Philadelphia, instilling confidence in the team’s defensive efforts. Reflecting on the Flyers’ recent successes, Ersson emphasized the importance of sustained effort, saying, “We cannot be satisfied… we’ve got to keep playing like this too.”
Offensive Contributions and Challenges: While the Flyers celebrated a game-winning goal by Bobby Brink against the Blues—a moment of skill praised by coach John Tortorella—they still face challenges in their offensive consistency. Players like Owen Tippett and Morgan Frost have struggled to find the back of the net, a concern Tortorella acknowledged while expressing optimism that better results would come if they stayed disciplined.
Bruins’ Struggles: Searching for Solutions
The Boston Bruins are facing a rough patch, having lost five of their last six games (1-4-1). Their recent defeat—a staggering 8-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes—highlighted significant defensive lapses, including a span of three goals conceded within 52 seconds during the first period. Bruins coach Jim Montgomery admitted, “The bottom line is, it doesn’t matter what facet of our game it was, it wasn’t good enough.”
Offensive Stagnation: The Bruins have scored only nine goals in their past six matches. Despite having a team-high six goals, star winger David Pastrnak has been unable to score in his last two appearances. No other Boston player has more than three goals, signaling a widespread offensive drought.
In response, Montgomery has juggled line combinations in search of an offensive spark. Pastrnak, supportive of the coach’s moves, stated, “Monty’s just trying to get us going… I can read off anybody.” However, he emphasized that the team’s lackluster performance isn’t about line changes but rather effort and execution: “The compete level needs to be way higher. Details, that’s what’s going to get us out of there.”
Coaching Insights and Team Dynamics
John Tortorella’s Perspective: Known for his disciplined coaching style, Tortorella has leaned on the Flyers’ defensive structure and confidence in younger players like Brink. By blending foundational play with flashes of offensive creativity, he hopes the team can continue to build momentum.
Jim Montgomery’s Approach: The Bruins’ head coach has emphasized unity and effort as cornerstones for reversing the team’s current slide. His candid approach, focusing on hard work and cohesiveness, signals that Boston’s recovery hinges on rekindling their competitive drive and attention to detail.
What to Expect in the Matchup
Both teams enter Saturday’s game with different trajectories and pressures. The Flyers, buoyed by recent wins and solid performances from Ersson, will look to extend their winning streak. On the other hand, the Bruins face a critical test of their resilience and ability to adapt under adversity.
Key for the Flyers:
- Sustained defensive pressure and another solid outing from Ersson.
- Contributions from secondary scorers to relieve pressure on their core forwards.
Key for the Bruins:
- A sharper, higher-intensity game that leverages their offensive talent.
- Defensive adjustments to prevent lapses like those seen against Carolina.
The Stakes and Psychological Edge
The Bruins’ frustration is palpable, and their struggles have cast a shadow over a team that began the season with higher expectations. For Pastrnak and his teammates, the game represents an opportunity to prove their commitment to overcoming this rough patch. The Flyers, meanwhile, have an opening to capitalize on their opponent’s vulnerability and reinforce their confidence.
Final Thoughts:
Saturday’s showdown could either mark the beginning of a turnaround for the Bruins or further establish the Flyers as a team capable of overcoming adversity. Fans can expect a fiercely contested battle, showcasing whether Boston’s adjustments or Philadelphia’s momentum will prevail.