The Philadelphia Flyers (1-5-1) are off to a dismal start to the season.
The start of this season has showcased many issues the Flyers need to solve, from poor goaltending to unorganized and often sloppy play in the offensive zone. They struggle to score, play solid defense, and hit the net.
Matvei Michkov (3G, 4A) is a bright spot, and in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, he recorded a goal and an assist in the Flyers’ failed comeback bid. The next challenge for the Flyers is today at 1pm, playing host to the Minnesota Wild (5-0-2).
First Look at The Wild
The Wild are off to a great start to their campaign, winning their last four games on the road. Their goaltender, Filip Gustavsson, has looked extremely well in the net, allowing one goal in his last three starts; all wins.
On the attack, look no further than Kirill Kaprizov. Michkov is often compared to Kaprizov, who leads his team in points with 13. Kaprizov is tied for fifth in assists (9) and is on a four-game point streak. No doubt, Kaprizov will be tough to contain.
Matt Boldy is another talented winger who deserves attention. On the season, Boldy recorded 10 points (4G, 6A). On the road, the Wild are playing very well, looking to extend their win streak to five games. If the Flyers are to defeat the Wild, they need to begin scoring at a considerable rate.
Special Teams vs 5-on-5
Structure at even-strength must improve for the Flyers to compete versus the Wild. On the powerplay, they look pretty decent in part due to the efforts of Michkov. Michkov presents a powerplay threat the Flyers have not had in years, recording three goals on the man advantage.
At even strength, the Flyers are struggling to generate offense. Scoring is a focal point, and it has to begin particularly in five-on-five situations.
Banged Up Flyers
Cam York (upper-body) will be out for a minimum of two weeks. Travis Konecny (day-to-day) did not practice on Friday but will play today.
Stay Out of the Penalty Box
Disciplined hockey is paramount for the Flyers, who rank second in the NHL in penalty minutes (105), behind the Boston Bruins. The Flyers are known for their very effective penalty kill, however you can only play with fire for so long. The Flyers cannot give a team like the Wild, with players like Kaprizov, Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek, too much time on the man advantage today if they want to win.
Ersson Likely to Get the Start
The backup goaltending situation is a nightmare. Ivan Fedotov looked unplayable at times, and rumors swirl about a potential recall of Alexei Kolosov from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Sam Ersson is a rock for the Flyers and must hold down the fort until the backup goaltending improves. He could shoulder the load, but the ask is mighty. He will need to be at his best versus the Wild.
On the season, Ersson is 1-2-1 with an 88.6%SV and 3.22GAA. Those stats are a little misleading as Ersson routinely makes vital saves to keep the Flyers in the game while remaining fundamentally sound.
How do the Flyers Win?
There is not any room to begin flat on home ice. Distributing the puck smoothly, while creating room in the offensive zone for Michkov will go a long way.
Last season, the Flyers pummeled the opposition with shots on goal, but early this season, they are not as on target. Making Gustavsson uncomfortable in the net is critical.
Defensively, the Flyers must make it tough on the Wild to enter the zone. If they can disrupt the fluidity of the Wild on the attack, the Flyers could earn the underdog victory.
When: 1pm ET
Where: Wells Fargo Center; Philadelphia, PA
Broadcast Info: NBC Sports Philadelphia; 97.5 The Fanatic
Last Game PHI: 10/23; 6-3 L at Washington Capitals
Last Game MIN: 10/24; 4-2 W at Tampa Bay Lightning
Projected Flyers Lineup
#11 Travis Konecny – #14 Sean Couturier – #39 Matvei Michov
#74 Owen Tippett – #48 Morgan Frost – #19 Garnet Hathaway
#21 Scott Laughton – #25 Ryan Poehling – #71 Tyson Foerster
#44 Nicolas Deslauriers – #27 Noah Cates – #86 Joel Farabee
#5 Egor Zamula – #6 Travis Sanheim
#24 Nick Seeler – #9 Jamie Drysdale
#77 Erik Johnson – #55 Rasmus Ristolainen
#33 Sam Ersson
(#82 Ivan Fedotov)
Wild Projected Lineup
#97 Kirill Kaprizov – #23 Marco Rossi – #36 Mats Zuccarello
#90 Marcus Johansson – #14 Joel Eriksson Ek – #12 Matt Boldy
#17 Marcus Foligno – #89 Frédérick Gaudreau – #13 Yakov Trenin
#94 Jakub Lauko – #22 Marat Khusnutdinov – #28 Liam Öhgren
#5 Jacob Middleton – #7 Brock Faber
#25 Jonas Brodin – #24 Zach Bogosian
#4 Jon Merrill – #47 Declan Chisholm
#32 Filip Gustavsson
(#29 Marc-André Fleury)
