The Philadelphia Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday night to face off against the Montreal Canadiens, aiming to build on the momentum from a thrilling 7-5 victory over the Minnesota Wild.
After snapping a six-game losing streak in electrifying fashion, the Flyers are hungry to make it two wins in a row as they continue their back-to-back weekend.
Getting The Spark Back
Philadelphia’s win over Minnesota didn’t just break their losing streak—it ignited a spark they’ll look to carry forward. The Flyers were led by the high-energy line of Travis Konecny, Sean Couturier, and rising Russian star Matvei Michkov, who combined for an eye-popping 12 points.
Konecny’s relentless forecheck, Couturier’s two-way reliability, and Michkov’s playmaking flair seemed to mesh perfectly, setting the stage for an explosive offensive showing that the Flyers have been searching for all season.
Michkov, particularly, has started to look like the dynamic game-changer he was projected to be, making life difficult for opposing defenders and dazzling fans with his puck control and vision. With Konecny and Couturier flanking him, the Flyers may have found a top line with both chemistry and firepower. Keeping this trio intact against Montreal will be crucial as they attempt to replicate Saturday’s offensive prowess.
Calling In Reinforcements
The Flyers’ back end will look a bit different tonight as Swedish defenseman Emil Andrae steps in following Cam York’s placement on Injured Reserve.
Andrae, who brings a smooth skating stride and keen offensive instincts, has shown promise at the AHL level and now has a chance to prove himself in the NHL spotlight. His mobility and puck-moving abilities should help alleviate the loss of York, giving Philadelphia another option on the blue line to jumpstart transitions and support the attack.
Related: How The Flyers Can Adapt To Cam York Absence
In goal, Belarusian netminder Alexei Kolosov could see his first NHL action sooner rather than later, after being called up likely in response to Ivan Fedotov’s early-season struggles. Kolosov, known for his quick reflexes and competitive edge, has been developing steadily and could offer some much-needed stability as the Flyers assess their goaltending situation.
Building Blocks
While the Flyers’ offense found its stride on Saturday, the defensive side still needs fine-tuning. The seven-goal outburst against the Wild was tempered by some costly lapses that allowed Minnesota to keep pace for much of the game.
The defensive corps will need to tighten up around their own net, especially since Montreal is entering the matchup with a young, speedy roster that thrives on exploiting defensive gaps and creating scoring chances off the rush. Limiting odd-man rushes and controlling the neutral zone will be pivotal if the Flyers want to neutralize the Canadiens’ attack.
Special teams also remain a point of emphasis. The Flyers’ power play finally clicked against the Wild, and replicating that success could prove valuable against a Montreal penalty kill that has shown vulnerability. At the same time, the Flyers’ penalty kill will need to stay sharp, as Montreal’s young stars are skilled at generating dangerous chances.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Travis Konecny – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov
Owen Tippett – Morgan Frost – Garnet Hathaway
Scott Laughton – Ryan Poehling – Joel Farabee
Nicolas Deslauriers – Noah Cates – Tyson Foerster
Defense:
Travis Sanheim – Rasmus Ristolainen
Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula – Erik Johnson
Starting Goalie:
Aleksei Kolosov
Montreal Canadiens
Forwards:
Cole Caufield – Nick Suzuki – Kirby Dach
Josh Anderson – Jake Evans – Brendan Gallagher
Joel Armia – Alex Newhook – Oliver Kapanen
Michael Pezzetta – Christian Dvorak – Emil Heineman
Defense:
Mike Matheson – David Savard
Lane Hutson – Logan Mailloux
Jayden Struble – Arber Xhekaj
Starting Goalie:
Cayden Primeau
