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Streaking Flyers set to face struggling Bruins

Jan 12, 2008 - 1:42 PM Boston (21-18-4) at Philadelphia (22-15-4) 1:00 pm EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins are separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference, but you'd never know it by the way the two teams have been playing lately.

The Bruins will look to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the Flyers on Saturday.

Philadelphia recovered from a six-game losing streak in December to win six of its last seven games. Outscoring their opponents 22-8 during their last six wins, the Flyers are now the highest scoring team in the Atlantic Division with 128 tallies.

Philadelphia cruised to a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers on Thursday behind Scott Hartnell's second career hat trick. Hartnell, who signed a six-year, $25.2 million contract after being acquired from the Nashville Predators this past summer, entered the contest with just seven goals and 17 points in 38 games this season.

The Flyers also got a goal from Simon Gagne in the triumph over the Rangers. The left wing tallied late in the third period and totaled over 17 minutes of ice time in his first action since November 7 after missing 26 games following a concussion.

Boston suffered its fifth loss of the season to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, 5-2, and has dropped seven of its last 10 games. Goaltender Tim Thomas allowed five or more goals for just the second time this season - both against Montreal.

The Bruins and Philadelphia have split two games this season, with each team winning on the road.