Flyers aim to keep playoffs in reach against Bruins

Struggling Philadelphia has opportunity to close six-point gap with head-on battle

The Philadelphia Flyers will bid to keep their diminishing playoff hopes alive when they host the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers, who have dropped two in a row, are now six points out of a playoff spot in the East Division. They picked up one point but fell 3-2 in a shootout on the road against the New York Islanders on

Thursday. Philadelphia is 7-11-3 since March 2.

“It is frustrating. You just have to find a way to win those games,” Jakub Voracek said. “You get four or five wins in a row, you're right in the mix. That's the mindset we have right now. We have to start Saturday. You have to believe.”

The Flyers still have 17 games remaining, two less than the Bruins. But the Bruins sit six points ahead of the Flyers in the playoff race.

“We're playing some good hockey,” Flyers' defenceman Travis Sanheim said. “We have some big games coming up. We've got to find a way to win hockey games. You can't look at the negatives right now.”

Goaltender Carter Hart, who has been inconsistent all season, stopped 21 shots against the Islanders in regulation and overtime as well as four of five attempts in the shootout. Yet Hart has lost his last six starts.

If the Flyers hope to work their way back into the playoff chase, Hart and Brian Elliott must elevate their level of play.

“I just came to practice every day,” Hart said of a recent benching. “Not pouting. Just having fun with the boys. Competing and battling. Just showing up to work every day with my hard hat and lunch pail, you know?”

The Bruins will be looking for their third straight victory.

In their most recent game, they beat the Capitals 4-2 at Washington on Thursday. Brad Marchand's clutch short-handed goal was crucial in lifting the Bruins to a win.

“This is a big week for our team,” Marchand said. “We're playing Washington, we're playing Philly. One team we're trying to catch and another team we're trying to stay ahead. It's crunch time. We have to continue to separate from teams below and we have to build toward playoffs, regardless of who's in or out of the lineup every night.

“We don't need to be great at the start of the year, it's how you finish, and I think we're building and getting better at the right time.”