Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: NHL Network, NESN, NBCSP / regional Canadian networks (SNW, SNO, SNE, TVAS)
This is the first meeting of the 2026-27 season between the Metropolitan Division’s struggling Flyers and the Atlantic Division’s Bruins. Boston is coming off a strong offensive outing; Philadelphia remains winless and is completing a three-game road trip.
Projected Lineups / Current Rosters
Flyers forwards
Travis Konecny – Sean Couturier – Porter Martone
Trevor Zegras – Christian Dvorak – Owen Tippett
Tyson Foerster – Denver Barkey – Matvei Michkov
Michael Bunting – Noah Cates – Noel Acciari Flyers defense
Travis Sanheim – Jamie Drysdale
Cam York – David Jiricek
Nick Seeler – Simon Benoit Goaltenders: Joseph Woll / Dan Vladar (Vladar projected as more likely starter by some models; Woll has started more recently with stronger early numbers). Scratched (projected): Garrett Wilson, Carl Grundstrom.
Bruins forwards
Morgan Geekie – Pavel Zacha – David Pastrnak
Marat Khusnutdinov – Fraser Minten – JJ Peterka
Casey Mittelstadt – Elias Lindholm – James Hagens
Tanner Jeannot – Matt Poitras – Mark Kastelic Bruins defense
Hampus Lindholm – Will Borgen
Nikita Zadorov – Connor Clifton
Frederic Brunet – Mason Lohrei Goaltenders: Jeremy Swayman (projected starter) / Michael DiPietro. Scratched (projected): Jonathan Aspirot, Sean Kuraly.
Injury / Suspension Reports
Flyers:
Nikita Grebenkin (RW, upper body) – out / IR.
Rasmus Ristolainen (D, undisclosed) – day-to-day (missed recent games).
Helge Grans (D, lower body) – out / IR or non-roster.
Bruins:
Charlie McAvoy (D) – suspended (final game of a six-game suspension for a playoff slash; eligible to return Oct. 13).
No other injuries listed on primary reports (earlier Poitras mentions appear resolved or he is in the projected lineup).
Recent Team Forms
Flyers (0-3-2): Winless through five games. Scores: 0-7 vs. PIT, 2-3 OT at NJD, 2-3 OT vs. CAR, 1-4 at TBL, 1-2 at OTT. They have scored just 6 goals total (~1.2 GF/G, near bottom of the league) while allowing 19 (~3.8 GA/G). Power play is anemic (~6.7%); penalty kill ~75%. Shot generation and 5-on-5 metrics have been poor. They showed more competitiveness in the recent 1-2 loss in Ottawa.
Bruins (3-2-0): Mixed start but trending up. Results include W 3-0 vs. NYR, W 4-3 OT at WPG, L 1-4 at MIN, L 1-4 vs. OTT, and a dominant 6-1 home win vs. Utah Mammoth on Oct. 8 (Pastrnak 2G-2A). Roughly 3.0 GF/G and 2.4 GA/G. Swayman has been excellent early (.932 SV%, ~1.98 GAA in limited action). Power play ~21.4%; PK ~83%. Home record 2-1-0.
Key Player Matchups
David Pastrnak vs. Flyers defense / Couturier line: Pastrnak leads Boston with 6 points (2G-4A) and exploded for 4 points in the Utah game. He will look to exploit Philadelphia’s struggling blue line (missing Ristolainen depth) and low scoring output.
Matvei Michkov / Travis Konecny vs. Bruins top pair (Lindholm-Borgen or Zadorov-Clifton): Michkov has 2 goals (team lead); Konecny has 3 assists. The Flyers’ top skill players need to generate offense against a structured Boston defense missing McAvoy.
Goaltending: Swayman’s strong early form vs. Flyers’ tandem (Woll has better numbers so far than Vladar). Philadelphia’s inability to score consistently puts heavy pressure on their netminder.
Special teams: Boston’s better PP against Philadelphia’s weak PK and vice versa could decide close stretches. Physical play involving Zadorov/Jeannot vs. Flyers’ size could also factor.
Series History
The teams met three times in 2025-26: Flyers won the last two (2-1 OT on April 5, 2026 at home; 3-1 on Feb. 28, 2026 at home); Bruins won 6-3 at home on Jan. 29, 2026. In the last 10 meetings overall, results are mixed (roughly 6-4 Bruins in some counts of recent games, with several low-scoring affairs and a few high-scoring ones). Historically the Bruins have the edge in the all-time series, but recent home/road splits and the Flyers’ late-season success against Boston last year add some intrigue. Preseason meetings in 2026 were split.
Betting Trends
Early season sample is small. Flyers games have mostly stayed under (only 1 over in 5); Bruins have a mix (2-3 O/U). Combined scoring averages point toward a lower total, though Boston’s recent 6-goal outburst and Philadelphia’s defensive issues create some over interest.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 5.5
Boston Bruins – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 9, 2026
