Those Boston connections continue to shape the Flyers’ fortunes in a productive way.
The season began with defenseman Keith Yandle joining Beantown childhood running mate Kevin Hayes along with incoming former Boston College players Cam Atkinson and Patrick Brown.
Not to be outdone, Boston University has gotten into the mix with third-year Flyer forward Joel Farabee welcoming in ex-Terrier teammate Max Willman, who was recently called up from the Phantoms to replace the reinjured Hayes.
Willman tranferred from Brown University to play his final year of college hockey at BU for the 2018-19 campaign. That’s where Willman, now 26, met Farabee, who is still just 21.
At Saturday morning’s skate at the Wells Fargo Center, Farabee said Willman’s experience factor was helpful in Boston and should also be valuable to the younger Flyers.
“He was really good to me,’’ Farabee said. “He was an older guy on the team and he pushed me to be better. He’s a leader in the room, a guy who approaches the game the right way, does all the right things off the ice. Definitely someone I admire.’’
Playing with veteran Derick Brassard has helped Farabee, too.
“I think he’s been really good for us,’’ said Farabee of Brassard as the Flyers prepared to play, of course, the Boston Bruins. “He’s an older guy, played a long time, he knows what he needs to do. He uses his speed really well. And he wins faceoffs, does all the little things right. I think he does all the things you need to win games.’’
>Waiting game on Hayes
Hayes, who apparently suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday night’s 2-1 overtime win over Calgary, has been undergoing extensive tests but coach Alain Vigneault said he doesn’t expect to know results for another 24 hours.
Hayes was only in his second game back after undergoing a second abdominal surgery in the preseason.
“Still waiting to hear back,’’ Vigneault maintained.
The coach also could not confirm if the latest injury is related to the abdominal problem.
>Jones to start in goal
Martin Jones, who was in goal for Flyers in a 6-3 win over Boston back in the first week of the season, will play against the Bruins in the rematch game.
>Strong play after losses
The Flyers entered the Bruins game coming off a shootout loss to Tampa and will try to keep their streak alive of not having lost two games in a row all season (6-0-0).
“We’ve come to play,’’ Vigneault said. “We’ve been very privileged to have good goaltending all year, both guys have played extremely well. Our guys compete right to the end. That’s what you need to do in such a competitive league. Going from Tampa to Boston, all tough teams, your game has to be at its best to have a chance to win.’’
