In the concluding game of the weekend’s back-to-back home encounters, John Tortorella’s Philadelphia Flyers (2-5-1) welcome Martin St. Louis’s Montreal Canadiens (3-4-1) this Sunday evening. The contest is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT at the Wells Fargo Center.
The matchup will be broadcast on NBCSP, with radio coverage available on 97.5 The Fanatic and an online simulcast on Flyers Radio 24/7.
This game marks the first of a three-game series between the Flyers and Canadiens. Philadelphia will host a rematch on March 25, followed by the final clash at Bell Centre in Montreal on April 5.
The Flyers come into this game after a thrilling 7-5 victory at home against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon. This win broke a six-game winless streak and secured Philly’s first regulation win of the season.
In their own Saturday outing, the Canadiens earned a necessary 5-2 home victory over the St. Louis Blues. Before this win, they had been struggling, going winless in their last four matches (0-3-1) and capturing only one win in their previous six games (1-4-1).
Here are five key aspects to monitor in Sunday’s game in Philadelphia.
1. Couturier’s standout performance
From a psychological perspective, Flyers captain Sean Couturier required a performance like Saturday’s win over Minnesota just as much as the Flyers needed the boost that his five-point outing (a hat trick along with two assists) provided.
Couturier’s first goal, netted just 1:18 into the game while positioned near the net, marked the 500th point of his NHL career. More importantly, it ended a personal 32-game goal drought. In the second period, he helped stabilize the game and regain momentum when his play on a delayed penalty against Minnesota led to Matvei Michkov’s fourth goal of the season. In the third period, Couturier added his second goal, bringing the score to 5-4. He also assisted on Rasmus Ristolainen’s game-winner with just 2:34 left in regulation, before sealing the victory with an empty-net goal set up by Noah Cates.
Saturday’s performance ranks among the three most significant of Couturier’s NHL career. It’s noteworthy that he has come back strong after undergoing two back surgeries and a core muscle surgery over the past three years.
Two other remarkable playoff performances stand out in Couturier’s career:
- In Game 2 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against Pittsburgh, rookie Couturier, at just 19, effectively shut down Evgeni Malkin at even strength while also recording a hat trick.
- In Game 6 of the 2018 ECQF against Pittsburgh, despite suffering from a torn right MCL sustained during practice just a week prior, Couturier nearly single-handedly pushed for a Game 7 with a hat trick and two assists. Just two nights before, Couturier had delivered the game-winning goal at 18:45 of the third period in Game 5, ensuring a sixth game in the series.
Couturier’s impressive showing against Minnesota wasn’t entirely unexpected; he had been progressing steadily with improved performances in each of the previous three games, even amidst team losses. With his achievement on Saturday, he aims to help the Flyers secure back-to-back wins. A 3-5-1 record would create a clear pathway to move past the six-game winless streak.
2. Off-wing synergy: MM and TK
The talented wing pairing of 19-year-old rookie Michkov (who has nine points in his first eight NHL games) and NHL All-Star Travis Konecny (who scored a power-play goal and recorded four assists on Saturday) has quickly developed solid chemistry alongside Couturier. Michkov favors playing right wing, and while Konecny also prefers that position, he has been shifted to his off wing to allow for collaboration with Michkov on the same line. A previous attempt was made to…
By Tortorella, the intention was to pair Michkov and Konecny on their preferred sides (left-handed shooter Michkov on the left wing, Konecny on the right). However, the combination of both Michkov and Konecny playing on their off-wings has proven to be effective from the outset.
Moreover, Konecny and Michkov do not conform to a north-south playing style. They both favor maneuvering after a faceoff, which means there will be instances where Michkov finds himself on the left or in the middle of the ice while Konecny shifts to the right, or vice versa, with Michkov positioned on the left for passes or shots.
Couturier’s responsibilities on the line include defending the area in the defensive zone and, as play moves up ice, creating space for his wingers while positioning himself to score through tips or rebounds.
3. An opportunity for Andrae
This past week, the Flyers received unfortunate news with the announcement that important defenseman Cam York would be sidelined for at least two weeks due to an upper-body injury sustained during Wednesday’s match in Washington. York’s absence leads to two immediate effects: 1) Rasmus Ristolainen has been elevated to the top defensive pairing alongside fellow veteran Travis Sanheim, and 2) second-year player Emil Andrae has been recalled from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the second time this season.
When Nick Seeler began the regular season on injured reserve with a lower-body issue, the Flyers had called up Andrae during their opening road trip. However, Andrae remained a healthy scratch for those games. It was mentioned that having York, Jamie Drysdale, and Andrae together would result in a somewhat undersized defensive lineup in several starting positions.
York’s injury now opens a door for Andrae. Familiar with playing a significant role on the power play (even during his brief tenure with the Flyers early last season, Andrae was utilized on the power play), it’s possible that he could temporarily take over Egor Zamula’s spot on the Flyers’ second power-play unit. At even strength, Andrae could pair with Zamula, or the Flyers might consider playing one of the young defensemen alongside veteran Erik Johnson (who has appeared in six games so far).
4. Big chance for the Belarusian
In addition to Andrae, the Flyers have also recalled rookie goaltender Aleksei Kolosov from the Phantoms. With defenseman York placed on IR, the Flyers will now carry three goalies on their NHL roster: Samuel Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and 22-year-old Kolosov.
Competition for playing time on the NHL team is heating up. Ersson’s position appears secure, though workload distribution may come into play. Fedotov is still adjusting to the NHL, particularly in terms of managing screens, lateral movement, and sealing the five-hole. Unlike the towering Fedotov, Kolosov is slightly smaller than average for a contemporary NHL goalie, but he possesses remarkable athleticism and agility. His lateral movement is especially impressive, even as he continues to adapt in other areas.
At the AHL level, the Belarusian has started three of the four games played by the Phantoms thus far, including back-to-back games last weekend against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Kolosov’s record with the Phantoms stands at 1-2-1, with a 3.29 goals-against average and an .875 save percentage.
5. Risto on the rise
In the earlier stages of his Flyers career, veteran defenseman Ristolainen often teamed with Sanheim on the blue line. More recently, Sanheim has transitioned from his left-side position to play alongside York. Due to York’s injury, the necessity has at least temporarily reinstated the Sanheim-Ristolainen pairing.
Aside from the game-winning goal Ristolainen netted on Saturday, he delivered one of the most impressive all-around performances of his Flyers career. He registered five hits without compromising his positioning, blocked two critical shot attempts from opponents, outmuscled several Wild players for the puck, and logged a substantial 25:25 of ice time. Sanheim notably led all players from both teams with an impressive 27:49 on the ice.
Throughout his NHL career, the 30-year-old Ristolainen has regularly played on the top pairing and logged significant ice time. For several years, he has been at the forefront in ice time for the Buffalo Sabres and has also had multiple games with heavy minutes during his tenure of over three seasons with the Flyers. Assistant coach Brad Shaw has been instrumental in guiding Ristolainen to streamline his gameplay in recent years, encouraging a focus on positional soundness rather than an over-reliance on hits.
In York’s absence, Ristolainen’s ice time is likely to continue mirroring his past TOI levels. To improve their standings and move out of the early season slump, the Flyers will require consistent performances from Ristolainen, especially in collaboration with Sanheim, akin to their performance in Saturday’s game.
Flyers Look to Build Momentum Against Canadiens in Sunday Showdown
Overview of the Upcoming Matchup
This Sunday’s NHL matchup features the Philadelphia Flyers as they face off against the Montreal Canadiens at the Wells Fargo Center. Both teams are looking to carve out their respective paths in the league, making this game critical for building momentum as the season progresses.
Current Team Performance
As of now, the Philadelphia Flyers have shown flashes of potential, but consistency has been an issue. Here’s a detailed look at their current performance metrics:
| Team | Games Played | Wins | Losses | OT Losses | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Flyers | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 8 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
Key Players to Watch
In any game, individual performances can swing the outcome. Here are a few key players that fans should keep an eye on:
- Kevin Hayes (Philadelphia Flyers) – Leading the team in points, Hayes has been a crucial playmaker this season.
- Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers) – The goaltender is essential for the Flyers’ defense, aiming for a standout performance against the Canadiens.
- Nick Suzuki (Montreal Canadiens) – The young center is a rising star and has the ability to change the game with his offensive skills.
- Josh Anderson (Montreal Canadiens) – Known for his physicality, Anderson can also score crucial goals, making him a dual threat.
Tactical Analysis: Flyers vs. Canadiens
Both teams possess unique strengths and weaknesses that will play a critical role in determining the outcome of the game. Here’s a tactical breakdown:
Philadelphia Flyers
- Strengths: Strong offensive lines, excellent power play, and a resilient defense.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent scoring depth and occasional lapses in defensive coverage.
Montreal Canadiens
- Strengths: Versatile forwards capable of creating scoring opportunities and a solid penalty kill.
- Weaknesses: Struggles with defensive zone coverage and a lack of depth in the lineup.
Benefits of Winning This Game
A victory for the Flyers in this matchup against the Canadiens can yield several benefits:
- Mental Boost: Winning can enhance team chemistry and build confidence among players.
- League Standing: Securing points in the standings is critical as teams jockey for playoff positions.
- Fan Support: A win at home can bolster fan engagement and support moving forward.
First-Hand Experience: Game Day Atmosphere
Attending a Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center is an experience like no other. The energy in the arena can be electric, especially during critical matchups like this one against the Canadiens. Here’s what you can expect on game day:
- Vibrant Atmosphere: Fans showcasing their Flyers pride with jerseys, signs, and chants create an engaging environment.
- Pre-Game Festivities: From tailgates to fan zones, the lead-up to the game is as much a part of the experience as the game itself.
- Halftime Shows: Expect various entertainment features during intermissions, including performances and contests.
Practical Tips for Fans Attending the Game
If you plan on attending the Flyers vs. Canadiens game, here are some practical tips to enhance your experience:
- Arrive Early: Getting to the arena early will allow you to soak in the atmosphere and avoid traffic.
- Parking Information: Consider using public transportation or carpooling to reduce parking stress.
- Merchandise: Don’t forget to grab some Flyers merchandise at the arena to show your support!
Case Study: Previous Meetings
Analyzing past matchups can provide insights into how the teams align against each other. In their last five meetings:
| Date | Venue | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1, 2023 | Bell Centre | Canadiens | 4-3 |
| January 15, 2023 | Wells Fargo Center | Flyers | 5-2 |
| December 10, 2022 | Bell Centre | Flyers | 3-1 |
| November 21, 2022 | Wells Fargo Center | Canadiens | 2-1 |
| October 29, 2022 | Bell Centre | Canadiens | 4-0 |
Conclusion
The matchup between the Flyers and Canadiens promises to be an exciting affair filled with intensity and significance. As both teams strive to establish their identities this season, this game will be a pivotal moment for building momentum. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see which team can capitalize on their strengths and secure the victory.
