With a 2-6-1 mark in their last nine games, the Boston Bruins are in a bit of a rut. Over the last two games, in particular, they haven’t been able to finish their chances as they now find themselves in a tie with the Devils (with three games in hand) for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

In the fourth game of their five-game road trip, the Bruins travel to Philadelphia to face a Flyers team that rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat the Black and Gold in overtime back in October. The Flyers are just four points behind the B’s with a game in hand on them.

With points coming at a premium midway through the 2015-16 season, the Black and Gold need to find ways to win — without David Krejci, who is still nursing an upper body injury — if they want to separate themselves from the logjam of mediocrity in the East.

Gametime: 8:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NBCSN/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 21-15-5 (47 points), Flyers 18-15-7 (43 points)
Location: Wells Fargo Center

Bruins projected lines

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Jimmy Hayes
Matt Beleskey-Ryan Spooner-Loui Eriksson
Frank Vatrano-Joonas Kemppainen-Brett Connolly
Zac Rinaldo-Max Talbot-Landon Ferraro

Zdeno Chara-Zach Trotman
Dennis Seidenberg-Colin Miller
Torey Krug-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson

Flyers projected lines

Jakub Voracek-Claude Giroux-Wayne Simmonds
Michael Raffl-Sean Couturier-Brayden Schenn
Chris VandeVelde-Pierre-Edouard Bellemare-Ryan White
Matt Read-Scott Laughton-R.J. Umberger

Michael Del Zotto-Radko Gudas
Nick Schultz-Mark Streit
Yevgeni Medvedev-Brandon Manning

Steve Mason
Michal Neuvirth

Matchup to watch: Bergeron line vs. Giroux line

Barring any last minute decisions, Jimmy Hayes will get his chance to skate with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron vs. the Flyers. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

Judging from Tuesday’s practice, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand will have a new linemate for tonight’s game against the Flyers. Dorchester’s own Jimmy Hayes, who has five goals and an assist in his last six games — that also includes his hat trick against the Sens on December 29th — will apparently get his shot with the Bergeron, Marchand duo barring any last minute decisions by Claude Julien.

The Bergeron line will likely defend the Flyers top line of Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds. Although the stat line of Philly’s top trio isn’t what many Flyers fans expected, Voracek, Giroux and Simmonds still account for a little over 30 percent of the team’s offense. With the Flyers ending their first half of the season tonight, they’ll look to get Voracek, Giroux and Simmonds going as they try to push for a spot in the playoffs after missing out last season.

Storyline to watch: Zac Rinaldo returns home

Zac Rinaldo returns to Philadelphia where he spent his first four NHL seasons. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

The baggage that Rinaldo brought from Philadelphia to Boston after being acquired by Don Sweeney was quite hefty. Although he played with passion during his four-year tenure in the ‘City of Brotherly Love’, Flyers fans remember him more for the times he crossed the line. During his time in Philly, he totaled more games in suspensions (14) than he did scoring goals (9).

Rinaldo’s past nearly came back to haunt him when he charged former teammate Sean Couturier in the first Bruins-Flyers meeting of the season back in October. He was assessed a game misconduct for his actions, but the 25-year-old avoided supplemental discipline and has been on the other side of the fine line for the most part.

Anything can happen when the Bruins and Flyers meet. Rinaldo may get the ‘Philadelphia treatment’ upon his return, but as long as he doesn’t cross the line, he’ll be alright.