Three Things For Bruins Fans To Watch In Preseason Game Vs. Flyers

The Bruins play their final home preseason game Tuesday night when they welcome the Philadelphia Flyers to TD Garden.

Following an explosive day off the ice Monday, the focus returns to some lingering positional battles while Jim Montgomery’s club gets in its paces ahead of next week’s opener in Florida.

Bruins fans get a full night of coverage on NESN starting at 6 p.m. ET. Here’s a full rundown ahead of three things to look out for Tuesday night.

6 p.m.: Bruins: Back To Work
7 p.m.: Flyers at Bruins
9:30 p.m.: Bruins Overtime Live

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BRUINS GAME ROSTER VS. PHILADELPHIA

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. The captain is back
Some people spend their summers on the beach. Brad Marchand seemingly spent his under the knife. The Bruins captain underwent three surgeries in the offseason to repair nagging injuries to his elbow and groin as well as to address a sports hernia. Similar to David Pastrnak last week and other veterans generally speaking, the preseason debut is just the latest chance to get Marchand’s feet wet. He knows better than anyone else what it will take for him to be ready for Oct. 8 in Sunrise, Fla., and this is the next step in that process. It’s good for the team, too, as Marchand’s on-ice presence has been noticeable in training camp practices.

2. The other Lindholm is here
Bruins fans will also get their first look at the new $54 million man, Elias Lindholm. An undisclosed injury has slowed Lindholm’s ramp-up to the regular season, but getting game action is an encouraging sign for his Opening Night status, too. According to reporters at morning skate, Lindholm was centering a line with Pavel Zacha on his left and Pastrnak to the right. That should be Boston’s top line this season, with Lindholm giving the Bruins a No. 1 center presence they didn’t have last season, their first since Patrice Bergeron’s and David Krejci’s retirements.

3. Big night for Brandon Bussi
The Jeremy Swayman contract dispute has dominated headlines to this point in Bruins camp — and rightfully so. While Boston still feels it can reach a deal with the No. 1 goalie, Montgomery noted on Monday that Joonas Korpisalo will start the season opener against the Panthers. What isn’t totally set in stone yet is his backup, although the presumption is Bussi will get that nod. The 26-year-old could use a big night to bolster his case and inspire some confidence after allowing six goals on 44 shots for a save percentage of .864 through two games (both against the Rangers). One thing that should help: Not only will Bussi have a defensive-minded forward group in front of him (Charlie Coyle will also make his debut), the Bruins will have five NHL regulars (Brandon Carlo, Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, Charlie McAvoy, Andrew Peeke and Nikita Zadorov) on the blue line, too.