NHL Daily: Surging Flyers Ready to Face Giroux; Bruins Jolted

The Philadelphia Flyers are playing their best hockey of the season as they get ready to play former captain Claude Giroux and the Senators on Thursday in Ottawa.

Philly is on a 5-0-1 roll, their longest point streak of the season. The Flyers equaled a season-best as they stretched their winning streak to four straight Tuesday, beating Montreal, 3-2, in a matchup that had draft-lottery implications.

Call the Flyers the anti-tankers. They are focused on building the team’s foundation — and not improving their draft odds.

On Thursday, they will face a Senators team that is desperate for wins as they try to stay in the wild-card race. The Sens are five points out of a playoff spot with eight games left, and the 35-year-old Giroux (28 goals, 71 points in 74 games) has helped them stay in the race.

Boston is not worried about its playoff position, but the Bruins missed a chance to wrap up the President’s Trophy as were upset by Nashville, 2-1.

For these stories and many others, check out our NHL links below:

Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: Many fans want the Flyers to lose as many games as possible and improve their chances in the Connor Bedard Sweepstakes. No tank you, the Flyers say. They outlasted Montreal in a game that was rather listless until the waning minutes. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: Players from Canada’s 2018 World junior team are not allowed to play in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship until a sexual-misconduct investigation is over. Philadelphia Flyers.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The bad Penguins re-emerged in a 7-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chicago Blackhawks: The Jonathan Toews era ma be coming to an end in Chicago. Chicago Blackhawks.

Montrel Hocke Now: Trade rumors are starting to percolate about the Habs, who should have a busy summer. Montreal Canadiens. 

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers have lost four in a row, but the inconsistent Penguins are keeping them in the playoff race. Florida Panthers.

LA Hockey Now: The Kings suffered their first regulation loss in more than a month, falling to Calgary, 2-1. But the Kings got a strong performance from goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. Los Angeles Kings.