The Philadelphia Flyers (15-16-4) needed a hard reset.
Before the holiday break, the Flyers visited the Pittsburgh Penguins. Philadelphia battled back in the second period, but Michael Bunting put the game out of reach. Sam Ersson allowed five goals before Alexei Kolosov entered after the second intermission.
“I don’t know how they deal with stuff. Dilly [Dillabaugh] and I talked on the plane about who’s going to go, and I want him [Ersson] to get right back in. Both goalies are trying to find their game.” – John Tortorella; 12/27/2024
That was Monday. Today, the Flyers visit the Anaheim Ducks.
Jamie Drysdale opposes the Ducks for the first time in his NHL career. Last season, he arrived via trade to Philadelphia (with a 2025 second-round pick) when Daniel Brière shipped Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim. Speaking of Gauthier, this is the first time he will face the Flyers. John Tortorella does not think of that storyline at all:
“I don’t give a shit what he [Gauthier] says. I’m not interested in answering questions about Cutter Gauthier. [I] don’t wish anything bad on the kid. I’m not going to answer any questions on him.” – John Tortorella; 12/27/2024
Philadelphia (-148), according to the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook, are the favorites. On paper, the powerplay (15.6%; 27th), the penalty kill (77.8%; 20th), faceoff success (51.5%; 11th), and average goals scored (3.0; 18th) side with the Flyers. The Ducks average goals against (3.09; 17th) ranks ahead. Anaheim trails in most of those categories. However, goaltending and how the defense performs will separate the winner from the loser.
“I don’t think our goalies have played well, but that’s not the only thing going wrong with this hockey club. That’s part of our job as a coaching staff, to figure out how to help them a little bit. We’ve got to do a little bit of what we did my first year here and play better in front of our goalies. That’s one of the focuses as we start this road trip. We’ve got to be better in front of them.” – John Tortorella; 12/27/2024
When: 12/28/24; 4:00pm/ET
Where: Honda Center; Anaheim, CA
Broadcast Info: NBC Sports Philadelphia; Flyers Radio 24/7
Last Game PHI: 12/23/24; 7-3 L; at Pittsburgh Penguins
Last Game ANA: 12/23/24; 3-1 L; at Vegas Golden Knights
Philadelphia Flyers
Ersson will start. Tortorella wants his starting goaltender to get back into the fight. Typically, Tortorella does not believe in the ‘hard reset’ after a break. However, goaltenders are different. A ‘hard reset’ could be the best thing for Ersson.
Over his last five starts, Ersson is 2-3-0 with an 80.1%SV and a 4.29GAA.
Drysdale (53.1%FF, 4HIT, 36BLK, 8TK:28GV) opposes the Ducks without Trevor Zegras. Last time out, Drysdale played 18:04 on the ice. He quarterbacks the first powerplay unit. However, Philadelphia is 0/9 (0%) on the man advantage during five games.
Travis Konecny (16G, 25A) played 20:46 on the ice, notching an assist against the Penguins. He did not register a shot on goal, but Konecny did force a takeaway on defense. While the Flyers struggle, Konecny continues to show impressive two-way value.
Projected Lineup: Philadelphia Flyers
#21 Scott Laughton – #14 Sean Couturier – #11 Travis Konecny
#74 Owen Tippett – #48 Morgan Frost – #39 Matvei Michkov
#71 Tyson Foerster – #27 Noah Cates – #10 Bobby Brink
#86 Joel Farabee – #25 Ryan Poehling – #19 Garnet Hathaway
#6 Travis Sanheim – #8 Cam York
#5 Egor Zamula – #55 Rasmus Ristolainen
#9 Jamie Drysdale – #24 Nick Seeler
#33 Sam Ersson
(#35 Alexei Kolosov)
Projected Lineup: Anaheim Ducks
#77 Frank Vatrano – #16 Ryan Strome – #19 Troy Terry
#17 Alex Killorn – #91 Leo Carlsson – #20 Brett Leason
#61 Cutter Gauthier – #23 Mason McTavish – #13 Robby Fabbri
#44 Ross Johnston – #21 Isac Lundeström – #38 Jansen Harkins
#2 Jackson LaCombe – #7 Radko Gudas
#51 Olen Zellweger – #65 Jacob Trouba
#6 Brian Dumoulin – #43 Drew Helleson
#1 Lukáš Dostál
(#36 John Gibson)
