This Saturday afternoon, John Tortorella’s Philadelphia Flyers (1-5-1) will be back in action, hosting John Hynes’ Minnesota Wild (5-0-2). The game is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. EDT at the Wells Fargo Center.
Fans can watch the game on NBCSP, while the radio broadcast will be available on 97.5 The Fanatic, including an online simulcast on Flyers Radio 24/7.
This matchup marks the first of two encounters this season between the Flyers and Wild, with their rematch set to take place in St. Paul on December 14.
As the Flyers take the ice, they aim to end a six-game winless streak (0-5-1). In their last outing on Wednesday, they suffered a 6-3 defeat against the Washington Capitals while on the road. In contrast, the Wild remain undefeated in regulation and are coming off a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Here are five key points to focus on during Saturday’s matinee:
1. Generating traffic in front of the net
The Flyers found themselves trailing 4-0 against Washington on Wednesday. They managed to fight back, scoring three goals to reduce the margin to 4-3, but two empty net goals from the Capitals solidified the 6-3 outcome.
It is crucial for the Flyers to build on the positive aspects of their recent performance. Although the Capitals eased up with a significant lead, the Flyers effectively pressed to make a comeback.
Notably, the Flyers finally began to regularly send pucks and bodies to the net. A comparison of three plays illustrates this improvement.
During the first period, on their initial power play, Flyers center Morgan Frost launched a wrist shot from the center point. Without anyone screening the goalie or available for a tip, it resulted in an effortless save.
In the second period, Owen Tippett found the net with a well-placed shot from a challenging angle, aided by Sean Couturier who effectively screened the goalie.
In the third period, Matvei Michkov’s power play wrist shot from a similar position to Frost’s earlier attempt resulted in a goal. This time, Michkov’s deceptive release combined with another screen from Couturier made all the difference.
2. Establishing a positive early tone
The Flyers have been a bit shaky following a series of four consecutive regulation losses. Yet, there were some encouraging signs during the latter part of Wednesday’s game.
A strong opening period against the Wild is essential for the Flyers; they should aim to enter the first intermission either ahead or on even terms. Then they must focus on taking the next step in the final two periods while maintaining simplicity and persistence.
3. Avoid over-reliance on special teams
It’s no secret that the Flyers have faced challenges in five-on-five play throughout the first seven games of the season.
Defensively, there have been moments when the Flyers displayed promising structural play, but subsequent breakdowns or lapses in execution and discipline have proved detrimental during their winless streak. Offensively, developing cohesion and puck possession as a complete unit is still a work in progress.
The Flyers’ struggles in five-on-five play have overshadowed two positive aspects: their penalty kill (26-for-29, 89.7 percent) and power play (7-for-29, 24.1 percent) have been effective enough to secure victories had their five-on-five performance been merely average.
4. Next man up mentality
Cam York suffered an injury late in Wednesday’s game against Washington. He did not participate in Friday’s practice, leaving his availability for the weekend uncertain. The Flyers experimented with different defensive pairings during practice.
Additionally, Travis Konecny also missed practice on Friday and is officially listed as day-to-day. Bobby Brink, who was a healthy scratch last game, took Konecny’s place in practice.
Regardless of the available roster against the Wild, it’s crucial for the Flyers to be prepared to compete against a Minnesota team that has started the season strongly.
5. Goaltending matchup: Ersson vs. Gustavsson
Samuel Ersson and Filip Gustavsson, both from Sweden, are well acquainted with one another. They shared goaltending duties for Team Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championships and have faced each other in the American Hockey League.
This season, Ersson’s performance has exceeded what his stats may indicate (1-2-1, 3.22 GAA, .886 SV%). Meanwhile, Gustavsson has been impressive, recently awarded the NHL Third Star of the Week, and boasts an excellent start (4-0-1, 1.40 GAA, .952 SV%).
# Flyers Look to End Winless Streak Against Undefeated Wild in Saturday Matinee
The Philadelphia Flyers are poised to face a daunting challenge as they look to snap their winless streak in an exciting Saturday matinee against the undefeated Minnesota Wild. This matchup is set to take place at the Wells Fargo Center, and fans are eager to see if the Flyers can turn their fortunes around against a team that has yet to lose this season.
## Current Team Form
### Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have been struggling to find their rhythm this season, currently sitting at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division. Despite their recent performances, they have shown flashes of potential, particularly in their offensive play.
- **Current Record:** 0 wins, 4 losses
– **Goals Scored:** 9
– **Goals Against:** 17
– **Power Play Percentage:** 12.5%
– **Penalty Kill Percentage:** 75%
### Minnesota Wild
On the other hand, the Minnesota Wild have been nothing short of spectacular. With a perfect record, they have established themselves as one of the top teams in the league early in the season.
– **Current Record:** 4 wins, 0 losses
– **Goals Scored:** 17
– **Goals Against:** 8
– **Power Play Percentage:** 25%
– **Penalty Kill Percentage:** 90%
## Key Matchup Insights
### Offensive Power
The Flyers will need to ramp up their offensive game if they hope to break their winless streak. The Wild’s defense has proven to be stingy, allowing only 8 goals in 4 games. Here are some key players to watch:
– **Flyers:**
– Kevin Hayes: Leading in points for the Flyers, he needs to step up his game.
– Travis Konecny: A consistent offensive threat who can change the course of a game.
– **Wild:**
– Kirill Kaprizov: The star forward has been instrumental in the Wild’s success, leading the team in goals.
– Mats Zuccarello: A veteran presence providing both goals and assists.
### Defensive Strategies
Defense will play a crucial role in this matchup. The Flyers have struggled defensively, leading to a high goals-against average. The Wild, meanwhile, have shown strong defensive capabilities.
– **Flyers Defense:**
– Ivan Provorov: Needs to anchor the blue line effectively.
– Rasmus Ristolainen: Key in physical play and ensuring puck control.
– **Wild Defense:**
– Jared Spurgeon: A leader on the blue line, critical in shutting down opposing forwards.
– Matt Dumba: Known for his physical play and shot-blocking abilities.
## Practical Tips for Flyers to Succeed
1. **Increase Offensive Pressure**: The Flyers need to create more scoring chances by establishing a strong forecheck and maintaining possession in the Wild’s zone.
2. **Special Teams Execution**: Improving their power play will be crucial. The Flyers must capitalize on any man-advantage situations to gain momentum.
3. **Defensive Communication**: Clear communication and positioning will be critical to limit the Wild’s scoring opportunities.
4. **Utilize Home Ice Advantage**: The Flyers need to feed off the energy of the home crowd to build confidence and intensity.
## Case Studies: Previous Meetings
Analyzing past matchups between these two teams can provide insights into what might unfold on Saturday.
### Notable Previous Encounters
| Date | Home Team | Score | Notable Performers |
|————|————–|———–|———————–|
| Jan 15, 2023 | Minnesota Wild | 4-1 Flyers | Travis Konecny (2G) |
| Mar 3, 2023 | Philadelphia Flyers | 3-2 Wild | Kirill Kaprizov (1G) |
| Nov 20, 2022 | Minnesota Wild | 5-3 Flyers | Ivan Provorov (3A) |
## First-Hand Experience
Fans who have attended previous games between the Flyers and Wild emphasize the palpable energy in the arena. “The atmosphere is electric, and you can feel the tension in the air when these two teams meet,” says a long-time Flyers season ticket holder. “It’s always a hard-fought battle, and I believe the Flyers have it in them to put on a show.”
## Conclusion: What’s at Stake
As the Flyers prepare to host the undefeated Wild, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory would not only end their winless streak but also provide a much-needed boost in confidence as they look to turn their season around. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Flyers can rise to the occasion and upset one of the top teams in the league.
### Upcoming Schedule
– **Date:** Saturday, October 21, 2023
– **Location:** Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
- **Time:** 1:00 PM ET
### Final Thoughts
With both teams having contrasting seasons thus far, this matchup promises to deliver excitement and drama. The Flyers need to harness their potential to come away with a crucial win, while the Wild aim to extend their unbeaten streak and solidify their place as a top contender this season.
Keep an eye on this thrilling clash to see if the Flyers can turn their season around against the formidable Wild!
