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Bruins hope to gain momentum in Philly

Jan 10, 2015 - 3:36 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Boston Bruins aim to win three straight for the first time since late November as they visit the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.

The Bruins have gone 8-7-6 since their last three-game winning streak from Nov. 15-21, but have followed up three straight post-regulation defeats with back-to-back one-goal wins.

Boston got on track with a 3-2 overtime win at Pittsburgh on Wednesday and then defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-0 at home the following night. Milan Lucic potted a pair of goals and backup goaltender Niklas Svedberg wasn't tested often for his second career shutout.

The Bruins had 43 shots to the Devils' 14, with Carl Soderberg also lighting the lamp.

"I thought right away that we had a strong game," said Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron. "We limited their chances and their shots on net."

Bruins forward Loui Eriksson missed the game due to a right hand injury suffered versus the Penguins, but he did skate with the club on Friday. Eriksson has nine goals and 25 points in 41 games on the season.

Tuukka Rask figures to return to net today and is an excellent 7-1-1 lifetime versus the Flyers with a 1.90 goals against average and .935 save percentage in 10 meetings with nine starts.

Rask made 19 saves when the Bruins opened the season with a 2-1 victory at home over the Flyers on Oct. 8, taking the first of three meetings this season to stretch their series winning streak to four in a row.

Chris Kelly had the winner with 1:51 left in regulation for a Bruins club that has won 11 of its past 14 in Philadelphia.

The Flyers also are looking to win a third straight game, picking up much- needed victories after a subpar road trip.

Philadelphia won the first three games of its swing, but then dropped five in a row before returning home to beat Ottawa in a shootout on Tuesday. The Flyers then followed up with a 3-2 overtime decision against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, with Jakub Voracek getting the winning goal on the power play 1:28 into the bonus frame.

Claude Giroux drew the primary assist as he held the puck in the left circle until Voracek moved into position and uncorked a shot which was slowed by the stick of Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom before sliding underneath Braden Holtby.

Sean Couturier and R.J. Umberger also tallied for the Flyers, while Matt Read and Nick Schultz both had a pair of assists to aid Steve Mason's 26-save effort.

"That's a big win," said Mason. "This is a team that we're chasing. Unfortunately they got a point out of it, but we'll take the extra one."

Mason is 3-2-2 with a 2.25 GAA and .932 save percentage in seven meetings with the Bruins, stopping 31 shots in the Oct. 8 setback.

Philadelphia will host Boston without the services of defenseman Nicklas Grossman, who is expected to miss the next three weeks with an upper-body injury sustained when he was hit from behind into the boards in the first period on Thursday.

The 29-year-old Swede participated in all but one of Philly's 41 games this season, collecting three goals and eight points and amassing 53 blocked shots -- second-best on the club.