It’s the latter half of a home-and-home series between Philadelphia and Toronto tonight as the Flyers come home to try to gain two points this time against the Maple Leafs after an overtime loss up north. Tonight the Flyers will be going back to their 6’8” goaltender Ivan Fedotov, who gave his team a chance to win in Toronto, letting up 2 goals in regulation with a total of 22 saves. The Flyers will need Fedotov to keep them in the game once more tonight against the likes of William Nylander, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Four Straight for Leafs
The Maple Leafs are currently on a 4-game winning streak. They sit at a 26-13-2 record after defeating the Flyers in OT and continue to sit at the top of the Atlantic Division, 4 points ahead of the Florida Panthers. There are many talented players to keep an eye on tonight for the Leafs. We all know what Matthews or Marner are capable of. Marner leads the team with 56 points and Matthews, although battling injury, is always dangerous. But how about Matthew Knies? The forward put up 3 goals and 5 points against Boston before he tallied a goal against the Flyers. The Flyers will have to keep him in check as it seems he may be on the cusp of a hot streak. Goaltender Dennis Hildeby played very well last game, only allowing 2 goals as the Flyers couldn’t muster up any more in Toronto. However, the Leafs will deploy Joseph Woll tonight, who has won his last 4 starts and boasts a 2.49 GAA to go along with his .914 SV%. So it won’t be any easier for the Flyers’ offense in Philly. Who can the Flyers look towards to hopefully set the tone on the score sheet?
Foerster on the Rise
In his last 8 games, Tyson Foerster has 8 points, 6 of them being goals. The 22-year-old has been a big contributor on a line with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink which has been playing very well as of late. This line is arguably playing the best hockey on the team right now and will need to continue their momentum if the Flyers hope to come away with 2 points tonight.
Michkov Slump
Outside of the game against the Los Angeles Kings which saw Matvei Michkov tally a goal and assist, it’s been a struggle for the promising rookie to get on the scoresheet. Call it a rookie slump, or maybe he’s gripping the stick too tight, or maybe coaching has been the issue … call it whatever you want, but this was likely to happen as Michkov gets used to a grueling NHL schedule and learns how to become a complete NHL player. That’s not to mention the Flyers’ lack of offensive talents around him. However with the offensive skills he possesses he’s bound to get going again. Let’s hope it’s tonight against the top team in the Atlantic.
Another Shot for Fedotov
It’s no secret goaltending has been a huge issue this season for the Flyers. Samuel Ersson looked very capable of claiming that number one goaltending spot before the season but injuries and overall poor play has left massive question marks. Rookie goaltender Aleksei Kolosov got his shot but failed to show he had the ability to backstop the team on a nightly basis. That now leaves Fedotov, who was the first man out of the goalie rotation as coach John Tortorella went with Ersson and Kolosov as his tandem. Now Fedotov is back in the mix with another chance to prove he belongs. With a good performance in Toronto, he will get the nod again tonight in Philadelphia. It’s a goalie carrousel for the Flyers right now and they need one of them to take hold of the reins in order to sure up the most important position on the ice.
When: 7:30pm ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center; Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast Info: ESPN+, Hulu; Flyers Radio 24/7
Last Game PHI: 1/5/25; 3-2 OTL; at Toronto Maple Leafs
Last Game TOR: 1/5/25; 6-4 OTW; vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Projected Lineup: Philadelphia Flyers
#21 Scott Laughton – #48 Morgan Frost – #39 Matvei Michkov
#71 Tyson Foerster – #27 Noah Cates – #10 Bobby Brink
#74 Owen Tippett – #25 Ryan Poehling – #11 Travis Konecny
#86 Joel Farabee – #14 Sean Couturier – #19 Garnet Hathaway
#6 Travis Sanheim – #8 Cam York
#5 Egor Zamula – #55 Rasmus Ristolainen
#24 Nick Seeler – #9 Jamie Drysdale
#82 Ivan Fedotov
(#35 Aleksei Kolosov)
Projected Lineup: Toronto Maple Leafs
#23 Matthew Knies – #34 Auston Matthews – #16 Mitch Marner
#74 Bobby McMann – #91 John Tavares – #88 William Nylander
#67 Max Pacioretty – #11 Max Domi – #18 Steven Lorentz
#24 Connor Dewar – #64 David Kämpf – #75 Ryan Reaves
#44 Morgan Rielly – #51 Philippe Myers
#95 Oliver Ekman-Larsson – #8 Chris Tanev
#2 Simon Benoit – #25 Conor Timmins
#60 Joseph Woll
(#35 Dennis Hildeby)
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