Monday's Bruins...

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PHILADELPHIA FLYERS at
BOSTON BRUINS
Monday, March 4, 2002
FleetCenter; Boston, Massachusetts
7:00 pm (ET) ? Gametime
6:30 pm (ET) ? Bruins Digest
NESN
Tonight?s Game
The Bruins host the Flyers tonight in the third of four games between these teams this season and the second and final game of this season's series at FleetCenter. The Bruins are 32-18-5-7 overall this season with a 19-7-1-4 record on home ice. The Flyers are 35-16-6-3 overall this season with a 19-10-3-0 record on the road. The Bruins are 6-4-1-2 vs. Atlantic Division opponents thus far this season and are 24-12-2-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Flyers are 5-4-1-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 27-9-3-2 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 73-48-18-0 lifetime vs. the Flyers with a 472-430 scoring edge in those 139 games. On home ice, the Bruins are 44-17-10-0 lifetime vs. Philadelphia with a 275-201 scoring advantage in those 71 contests. These teams have split this season's series thus far with the Bruins winning a 3-2 overtime decision in Philadelphia on Nov. 29 and the Flyers taking the rematch by a 5-2 score in Boston on Dec. 15.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins are winless in their three games following the Olympic break at 0-2-1-0 with a 3-3 tie at the NY Islanders on Feb. 26, a 6-2 loss to Carolina on Feb. 28 and a 4-3 setback in Buffalo on Mar. 1. Their last win was a 2-1 overtime victory in Vancouver on Feb. 12. They are 6-3-2-0 in their last 11 games and have taken points out of 15 of their last 21 games at 10-6-2-3.

The Bruins are 6-2-1-1 in their last ten home games and are 14-5-1-2 in their last 22 home contests. They are 3-2-1-0 in their last six road games and are 8-5-1-2 in their last 16 road contests.

Recent Flyers Games
The Flyers are 2-1-0-0 in their three games following the Olympic break with a 5-4 win vs. Chicago on Feb. 26, a 1-0 win at New Jersey on Feb. 27 and a 6-5 loss at NY Rangers on Mar. 2. They are 6-4-1-2 in their last 13 games following an eight-game win streak from Jan. 6-19.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins will next face a two-game road trip to Montreal on Mar. 6 (7:30 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio) and to Atlanta on Mar. 8 (7:30 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). They will return to the FleetCenter to host Calgary on Mar. 9 (7:00 p.m.; UPN38 & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Flyers Games
The Flyers will return home to host Calgary on Mar. 7 and will then face the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Mar. 8.

Bruins Injuries
Martin Lapointe: Hamstring strain; day-to-day.
Kyle McLaren: Dec. 28 surgery to repair a torn right wrist ligament; out indefinitely.
P. J. Stock: Feb. 7 facial surgery; day-to-day.
Rob Zamuner LW Hip Ques Mon
Total Man-Games Lost: 128

Bruins Recent Transactions
Feb. 26: Andrew Raycroft recalled from Providence/AHL and returned to Providence/AHL after game.
Feb. 28: Andy Hilbert recalled from Providence/AHL.
Mar. 1: Joe Thornton suspended by NHL for three games.

Flyers Injuries
Roman Cechmanek: Right ankle sprain; day-to-day.
Ruslan Fedotenko: Right knee sprain; day-to-day.

 

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This year's games and team trends

This year's games and team trends

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
12/15/2001 Bos. 2 Phi. 5 0,-110/5 Phi./O
11/29/2001 Phi. 2 Bos. 3 0,-200/5 Bos./P

Each team has won on the road this season.


Recent Trends
Over is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
PHI is 19-10-3 ATS on the road this season.
Flyers rank 3rd in offense w/ 3.11 goals/gm avg.
BOS's last three games have played over.
Bruins are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games.
Under is 3-1 in BOS's last four home games.

 

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Injuries & Line Changes

Injuries & Line Changes

Minus Thornton and Martin Lapointe (hamstring), P.J. Stock (fractured cheekbone), Kyle McLaren (wrist surgery), and possibly Rob Zamuner (hip pointer), it's no wonder that life after Salt Lake City has been more sour than sweet. Neither Thornton nor McLaren will suit up tonight. As of yesterday, Ftorek was unsure if any of the other three would play.

''We have to be smart about these injuries,'' said Ftorek. ''It'll be a last-minute [decision] for all of them. It's easy to say, `Yeah, let's put 'em all in' - but you have to be smart.''

The roster voids had Ftorek mixing and matching his forwards to come up with two power-play units. One of the man-advantage units had rookie Andy Hilbert skating between Bill Guerin and Mike Knuble, with Sean O'Donnell and Benoit Hogue working the points. Another had Jozef Stumpel flanked by Sergei Samsonov and Glen Murray, with Brian Rolston and Sweeney manning the points.

''We've made changes because of injury,'' said Ftorek. ''Still, we should be playing a certain way, and if we veer from that just a little bit, then it can be problematic.''

 

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PJ Stock & Kyle McLaren

PJ Stock & Kyle McLaren

New helmet in stock

Stock, recovering from surgery on his cheekbone, abandoned a visor he had been wearing in workouts, opting for a helmet that included a small flap that protected the side of his face. ''Yeah, changed it up,'' said the spark-plug winger, ''and we put a walkie-talkie in there.'' ... Zamuner exited practice early for therapy. ''We'll see how it is [today],'' he said ... Lapointe, slightly favoring his left hamstring, did not skate in the end-of-practice sprints - likely an indication he won't be ready tonight ... Although he has been suspended, Thornton is allowed to participate in workouts. He was absent yesterday, however, in order to attend a funeral. ''I think it was his trainer from junior hockey,'' said Ftorek.

Close but no cigar

McLaren, his right wrist still bandaged following surgery, said he figures it will be another 10-14 days before he can return to blue-line duty. His hand and wrist are feeling much better, but he still lacks the strength it would take to control the stick with just his right hand. ''It's the hand I use at the top of the stick,'' said McLaren. ''And if I have to brace myself up against the glass, or hold a guy off, I'm just not there yet.'' After another visit to the surgeon this week for an update, McLaren likely will have a date in mind for his return ...

Ftorek & "English 101"

Ftorek, when asked if next Tuesday's trading deadline might be playing a part in his squad's recent struggles: ''I don't think so. I mean, that's the first time I've heard that suggested. I don't believe so - now, that doesn't mean it's not - but I don't believe so.'' ...