The Struggling Flyers are taking their mothers on a trip to Boston to face the Bruins.

BOSTON ― John Tortorella he has a few things on his mind as his club mired in a 2-6-1 slump.

“I think we all have to get better. I think the coaches need to get better. I think the players have to get better,” he said, adding that the problems are compounded because it’s the start of the season.

Outside of, perhaps, Oct. 11 in Vancouver, BC, the team has struggled to stay disciplined and use their speed, accurate breaks and transition play effectively. The consistently high-energy hockey the Flyers displayed last season was inconsistent. Of course, there were good moments, but disconnected and disconnected have been mentioned countless times from the staff to the players and it’s obvious when watching from the seats.

For a coach who likes to take things in stride, Tuesday’s game against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m., NBCSP) is No. 10 on the schedule for Tortorella and his team. “It’s going to be scary,” he said when the time comes, looking at the first unit.

“Sometimes it takes a while to realize how bad some things are. I think that’s our job,” he said. “We have to balance trying to be as positive as possible to help us get out of this, but also being as honest as we need to be about how bad some things are. And that’s the tightrope I’m walking right now because some things happen that are just not acceptable, but you can’t keep letting your team down.”

Tortorella doesn’t believe in the sandwich philosophy of two positives and a negative — and the positives are limited at the moment. On Monday night, he broke the tape in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. “I want to show a positive tape,” he said. “I do. I think we need to have it. But the tape doesn’t lie.”

It’s true, things aren’t going too well for the Flyers. For anyone, sometimes when things aren’t going so well, a hug from a mom, any mom, can make things better. So it’s not a bad time when the Flyers have 15 moms who can travel to Boston to spread good vibes and hugs.

“I think it comes at a good time,” the forward said Owen Tippettin which his mother Tracy is traveling. “Obviously it’s part of the house and every time they’re around it’s always something special. And every time you think about something, it kind of takes away from the fact that they’re here.”

Flyers parents hung out with their kids in Nashville and Philly last season. This year, it’s the turn of mothers in Boston and at home.

“Yes, it’s amazing. Now my dad has been taking a bunch of them, so, yeah, time for mom to come,” go ahead Scott Lawton said “She is very excited. My dad is a little jealous.

“Honestly, it’s amazing to see what we go through every day — just getting on a plane, I think that’s one of the coolest things for her. And, yes, it is incredible. It’s very special.”

Lawton’s mother, Bonnie, was promoted to grandmother last week when Scott and his wife, Chloe, welcomed their son, Reed. Always supportive of her parents, she told young Lawton he played well “no matter what,” but whether she provided lunch on the way to the rink or snacks in Boston is unconfirmed.

Defender Jamie DrysdaleMom, Tina, did bring treats from home in Canada.

“I make these spicy crackers with wonton wrappers and he’s always loved them, so I bring them for him every time I come,” said Tina Drysdale, who added that she continues to ignore her “very jealous” husband’s calls, “because me” I’m having fun with the moms and it’s my turn with Jamie.”

“Hockey Mom” Tina Drysdale is having fun experiencing the day-to-day life of an NHL player, saying how cool the plane is, but also glad her 22-year-old son is in a good place. And Jamie is also glad to be in Massachusetts.

“Honestly, I think everybody likes to have one around,” he said. “I don’t know who wouldn’t want to. So, yes, it is a comfortable thing. It’s nice, yes, nice to have them here. And, hopefully, we can change this situation.”

The hope is that he starts at TD Garden against a Boston team (4-4-1) that has also struggled to find its footing early in the season.

“I think it’s also nice to have them here after a game like that,” Lawton said of Sunday’s loss to the Canadiens. “Just a little bit of a fresh perspective, I guess, and a fresh perspective on things. And, yes, we have to put on a show for them tonight.”

Tears

Bobby Brink will return to the lineup and Nick Deslauriers will be a healthy scratch. Based on the line combinations during the morning skate, Brink will line up with Lawton and Joel Farabi. … Morgan Frostwho started on the fourth line on Sunday, is back in the top six, sandwiched between Tippett and Tyson Foerster.