The Flyers will look to get back on the winning track tonight against the Boston Bruins. Boston has had a miserable season thus far. Pre-season thoughts were that Boston would challenge Ottawa for the top spot in their division and be strong contenders to win the Eastern Conference. Everyone thought that Boston would at least be one of the top four teams in the East. Instead Boston is 10 points out of the eighth and final playoff spot and currently they are only higher in the standings than Washington and Pittsburgh.

The last time the Flyers faced the Bruins, Philadelphia came away with a 1-0 win as Antero Niitymaki got the shutout over fellow Fin Hannu Toivonen. Toivonen though will not be in net tonight for the Bruins due to a sprained right ankle. Andrew Raycroft will most likely see action tonight for the Bruins. On the Flyers injury front, Peter Forsberg will miss the game with a “strained” groin but should have defenseman Joni Pitkanen back in the lineup after missing a six weeks with a sports hernia. Pitkanan will add offense to the Flyers back line as well as a strong power play specialist. With Forsberg out the Flyers will go with Simon Gagne, Michael Handzus and Sami Kapanen as the top line, while Mike Knuble will add depth the second line along rookie Jeff Carter.

Defenseman Chris Therien will move into 4th place in games played in a Flyers uniform and 1st place for games played by a defenseman tonight against the Bruins. The game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet and heard on 610 WIP on the radio.

Boston Leaders:
Goals – Sergei Samsonov (16 goals)
Assists – Joe Thornton (24 assists) (traded to San Jose Nov. 30)
Points – Patrice Bergeron (34 points)
Penalty Minutes – Hal Gill (64 minutes)

Flyers Leaders:
Goals – Simon Gagne (31 goals)
Assists and Points – Peter Forsberg (45 assists and 60 points)
Penalty Minutes – Donald Brashear (55 minutes)