BOSTON –– The Boston Bruins are hitting the road on Thursday for an exhibition matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The 7 p.m. puck drop marks the second time the teams will meet this preseason; it’s the B’s third of four total games ahead of Tuesday’s regular-season opening night at TD Garden.
Boston beat Philadelphia 5-1 on Tuesday. Mikey Eyssimont scored twice, and Morgan Geekie, Brian Halonen and Elias Lindholm also had goals. Thursday’s lineup will have a younger look for the B’s after a veteran-heavy group skated last game.
“Just play hard. We are going to play against a pretty good lineup in Philly tonight,” head coach Marco Sturm said. “That’s a good thing. I just want them to play hard, play like they can, play our style of game and then go from there.”
Of note, Frederic Brunet will play in his third consecutive contest – the only Bruin to do so this preseason. The 23-year-old defenseman is expected to be on the first pair with Charlie McAvoy, who is in the lineup for his second and final exhibition game. Brunet logged two primary assists against the Flyers earlier this week as he makes a push for a spot on the NHL roster.
James Hagens will also play in Philadelphia. Sturm has been happy with how the B’s seventh overall pick (2025) has come into camp.
“When he came last year, I felt like he was just a little kid. He’s still a kid – he looks like it in the face – but on the ice, it just feels a little bit different. Part of it is he’s more confident out there. He’s not as nervous. Now he knows us, he knows the system, he knows everything, he knows the players, he knows how we have to play,” Sturm said. “He already looks different to me than last season. He’s bigger, stronger.”
The 19-year-old forward has been practicing on a line with Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten throughout training camp. Neither Khusnutdinov nor Minten are making the trip, though, so Hagens will fill in on the wing with different faces. Sturm said he does not have the official lineup yet, but Hagens could be playing with someone like Dans Locmelis.
“It’s just being prepared. It’s exciting – just going out there, whoever you’re playing with – and being ready to go,” Hagens said. “It has felt great. Whether you’re center or wing, it’s just being prepared and being ready for your assignment. Two different spots on the ice, but when you come back, it’s all kind of relatively the same.”
