Flyers lines: Michael Raffl returns for first half of crucial home-and-home vs. Bruins

The Philadelphia Flyers begin a crucial home-and-home set with the Boston Bruins tonight. The Flyers trail the Bruins by just four points in the standings. The Flyers lines have one minor change with Michael Raffl returning as Brian Elliott gets the start in Boston.

Here is the Flyers lineup against the Bruins:

Flyers forward lines

James van Riemsdyk – Sean Couturier – Joel Farabee
Scott Laughton – Kevin Hayes – Nolan Patrick
Travis Konecny – Claude Giroux – Jakub Voracek
Michael Raffl – Tanner Laczynski – Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Oskar Lindblom is a healthy scratch.

“We’re in a sequence of six in nine, five in seven. It’s been a lot of hockey for Oskar,” Alain Vigneault said. “Playing back-to-back, I thought tonight was the right time to bring Raffl back in.”

Vigneault also mentioned that Raffl had a few bumps and bruises but that he’s ready to go tonight. He thinks the night off will be beneficial for Lindblom in the long run.

Ideally, you want your best players on the ice every night, but the Flyers have the luxury of being able to rotate in a guy like Raffl, for now. It’s not a huge step down, especially on the fourth line, and it’ll keep Lindblom fresh in a busy stretch.

Vigneault was happy with the play of the second and third lines on Saturday night but said that the top line has to be better.

Flyers defensive pairs

Ivan Provorov – Justin Braun
Travis Sanheim – Philippe Myers
Samuel Morin – Shayne Gostisbehere

The Flyers have the same defensive pairs as Saturday night.

Flyers starting goalie

Brian Elliott
Carter Hart

Carter Hart returned with confidence and a great attitude on Saturday.

Hart returns with confidence and a smile after hard-working week of practice

Brian Elliott will get the start in Boston with Hart tending the goal tomorrow night at home.

This week is the Flyers’ last realistic chance to make a playoff push. A sweep of the home-and-home set would be huge, but getting at least two points will keep them alive.

Flyers’ ‘massive’ week will determine playoff picture and deadline fate

The Flyers will look for a big two points tonight in boston. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. ET.