3 Storylines: Bruins @ Flyers, November 20

The Flyers look to avoid doing something they are yet to do this season while they’ll be without Kevin Hayes for a second straight game Saturday night against the Boston Bruins.

Game time is 7:00pm ET at the Wells Fargo Center. Catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia and listen on 93.3 WMMR.

Here’s three storylines and projected lineups:

Without Hayes again

Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault did not have an update Saturday morning on Hayes’ status.

“Still waiting to hear back,” he said. “Like I said, 48-to-72 hours before I know anything else.”

The second-line center was surprisingly absent from the Flyers’ 4-3 shootout loss Thursday night to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On Tuesday night, in his second game back from an abdominal surgery recovery, Hayes had to exit late in the second period. His right leg appeared to awkwardly buckle as he was tangled up with the stick of Calgary Flames forward Elias Lindholm. Hayes limped up the tunnel but was able to return for the third period as the Flyers went on to beat the Flames, 2-1, in overtime.

Not only do the non-updates make Hayes’ absence strange right now, but so does the fact that he practiced Wednesday, was on the ice briefly for an optional skate Thursday, and an unconcerned Vigneault said that morning he expected Hayes to play.

“It’s injury related, but again, as soon as I know more, you’ll be the first to know,” Vigneault said Saturday.

In other health news, fourth-liner Patrick Brown is in the process of deciding whether he’ll rehab his dislocated thumb or undergo surgery.

Looking to avoid their first consecutive losing streak

The Flyers are looking to avoid suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season. They’re one of three NHL clubs that have yet to lose two games in a row, joining the Carolina Hurricanes and the Edmonton Oilers.

However, the Flyers’ longest winning streak is two games and they’ve yet to win consecutive games in November. It’s just been every-other game.

The Bruins haven’t played since last Sunday and are aiming for what would be a season-best three-game winning streak.

Jones in net

Martin Jones is in net for the Flyers. He’s off to a strong start at 3-1-0 with a 2.27 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.

In his first regular-season game with his new club, Jones made 37 saves as the Flyers beat Boston, 6-3, at the Wells Fargo Center on October 20.

Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark will face the Flyers. He’s 3-3-0 on the season with a 3.01 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Projected lineups

Flyers:

Joel Farabee – Sean Couturier – James van Riemsdyk
Claude Giroux – Derick Brassard – Cam Atkinson
Oskar Lindblom – Scott Laughton – Travis Konecny
Max Willman – Nate Thompson – Zack MacEwen

Ivan Provorov – Justin Braun
Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Keith Yandle – Nick Seeler

Martin Jones
[Carter Hart]

Injured: Ryan Ellis (lower body), Patrick Brown (thumb), Kevin Hayes (undisclosed).

Bruins:

Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak
Taylor Hall – Charlie Coyle – Nick Foligno
Jake DeBrusk – Erik Haula – Craig Smith
Anton Blidh – Tomas Nosek – Curtis Lazar

Derek Forbort – Charlie McAvoy
Matt Grzelcyk – Brandon Carlo
Mike Reilly – Jakub Zboril

Linus Ullmark
[Jeremy Swayman]

Scratched: Connor Clifton, Karson Kuhlman

Injured: Trent Frederic (upper body)