Philadelphia Flyers Host Colorado Avalanche amid Both Teams’ Mid-Season Struggles

The Philadelphia Flyers, under the leadership of head coach John Tortorella, will face off against the Colorado Avalanche, coached by Jared Bednar, in the second match of their five-game homestand on Monday evening. Both teams have experienced middling starts to their seasons, with the Flyers holding a record of 8-8-2, while the Avalanche are at 9-9-0. The game will take place at the Wells Fargo Center, starting at 7:00 p.m. EST, and will be broadcast on NBCSP+ and via radio on 93.3 WMMR, with an online simulcast on Flyers Radio 24/7.

This matchup is the first of two contests between these inter-conference teams in the 2024-25 season, with a rematch scheduled in Denver on February 2, 2025. Last season saw the Flyers and Avalanche splitting their series, each securing a win on the road.

The Flyers have recently found form, recovering from a poor start to the season where they won just one of their first seven games. They have been on a 7-3-1 run over their last 11 games, including a current three-game winning streak. Defenseman Eric Johnson, a former Colorado player and Stanley Cup winner with the Avalanche, will be honored with a Silver Stick for reaching his 1,000-game milestone.

Key to the Flyers’ recent successes have been the performances of defenseman Travis Sanheim and winger Travis Konecny. Sanheim has seen an uptick in both ice time and overall performance, while Konecny continues to lead the Flyers offensively. Both players have been instrumental as the Flyers attempt to maintain their rhythm.

On the injury front, the Flyers face challenges with key players like Cam York, Jamie Drysdale, and Emil Andrae dealing with injuries, alongside goaltender Samuel Ersson. The «next man up» strategy has been crucial with Ivan Fedotov stepping up in the goaltender position.

The Avalanche also have their share of injury concerns, notably with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev placed on injured reserve. Kevin Mandolese has been recalled to support Justus Annunen, who is expected to start against the Flyers. In their recent four-game homestand, where they recorded three wins, Colorado welcomed back Miles Wood, Jonathan Drouin, and Valeri Nichushkin to the lineup following injuries.

Despite inconsistencies, with a 3-3-0 record on the road, Colorado boasts strong performances from key players such as Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Mikko Rantanen. The Avalanche aim to leverage their star power as they commence a critical four-game road trip.

The evening not only presents a competitive clash between two closely matched teams but also highlights the significance of depth and adaptability in the face of ongoing injuries. As both teams look to improve their standings, this encounter could set the tone for the rest of their respective campaigns.