“We talked about getting back to an identity . . . and reaching that again. So, it’s really about the process,” interim coach Joe Sacco said. “I know it’s a cliché, but it really is. We focus on certain things we can control every day. Hopefully, the results and the score [will] take care of itself.”
Captain Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak reunited for the first time this season on the first line Wednesday night against the Blackhawks and immediately connected. Marchand scored twice with Pastrnak setting him up each time in a 4-2 victory.
“Huge win for us [Wednesday], and one we’ll continue to build on,” Marchand said. “We’re getting better defensively. Different areas of our game are starting to come together as we’re getting more confident with our play. We’re getting some bounces, too.”
Philadelphia’s five-game win streak ended Thursday in a 7-5 loss to the Panthers, the most goals they’ve allowed in a game this season.
When: Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NESN, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -160. O/U: 5.5.
FLYERS
Season record: 12-11-3. vs. spread: 13-13. Over/under: 13-13
Last 10 games: 6-3-1. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 4-6
BRUINS
Season record: 14-11-3. vs. spread: 8-20. Over/under: 12-15, 1 push
Last 10 games: 6-3-1. vs. spread: 3-7. Over/under: 3-6, 1 push
TEAM STATISTICS
Goals scored: Philadelphia 75, Boston 71
Goals allowed: Philadelphia 88, Boston 84
Power play: Philadelphia 16.5%, Boston 11.8%
Penalty minutes: Philadelphia 241, Boston 303
Penalty kill: Philadelphia 80.8%, Boston 79.6%
Faceoffs won: Philadelphia 51.4%, Boston 51.9%
Stat of the day: The Bruins have won three straight to improve to 6-2-0 under Sacco and are three games above .500 (14-11-3) for the first time this season.
Notes: Morgan Geekie and Marchand have unlocked some of their best hockey of late. Geekie has three goals and an assist in his last five games, while that span also includes both of Marchand’s multi-goal games this season. … Goaltender Jeremy Swayman has won three of his last five starts with a .925 save percentage . . . In the Flyers’ loss Thursday, Owen Tippett scored twice and 19-year-old star Matvei Michkov became the first Philadelphia rookie to record three assists in a game since Philippe Myers on Dec. 3, 2019. All three came in the second period, a feat no NHL teenager had achieved since 2016. Michkov, who scored his third overtime game-winner last Saturday against the Blues, leads all rookies with nine goals and 22 points in 24 games. … Flyers coach John Tortorella’s lineup remains without several key pieces, including forward Nicolas Deslauriers, who landed on injured reserve Friday with an upper-body injury after leaving Wednesday’s practice early. He has played just seven games this season. Additionally, defenseman Jamie Drysdale (upper-body) and goaltender Samuel Ersson (lower-body) remain on IR but are considered day-to-day.
Alexa Podalsky can be reached at alexa.podalsky@globe.com.