Flyers Face Tough Test Against Senators Amid Losing Streak

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Philadelphia Flyers are set to host the Ottawa Senators tonight at Wells Fargo Center, aiming to break a four-game losing streak while contending with a rival fighting for playoff positioning. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The Flyers have struggled this season, winning only four of their last 13 games since Jan. 29. They’ve managed to score just one goal in each of their last three contests, reflecting a concerning trend as the regular season draws to a close with just 17 games left.

“Sometimes getting the dirty or greasy goals are all it takes for the floodgates to open back up,” said Flyers head coach John Tortorella.

On the other hand, the Senators arrive in Philadelphia riding a wave of momentum, having won four of their last five games. They are currently in contention for a playoff spot, just ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets by one point.

“Every point matters in this race,” said Senators forward Brady Tkachuk, who has been a key player for Ottawa with seven goals and four assists in his last 10 games. Tkachuk’s contributions have been vital as the team looks to solidify its playoff campaign.

Both teams will face lineup changes tonight. The Flyers plan to start Ivan Fedotov in goal for his second consecutive game after making 20 saves in his previous outing against the New Jersey Devils. Fedotov will be tested against an Ottawa team that boasts offensive threats like Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle.

Stutzle recently hit the 20-goal mark for the third time in his career and has 65 points this season. His consistent performance has been crucial to Ottawa’s recent success. “We’re feeling confident,” said Stutzle. “We know we can compete with the best.”

Anton Forsberg is expected to start for the Senators, stepping in for Linus Ullmark, who recorded 48 saves in a victory against the Detroit Red Wings. Forsberg has had mixed results this season with a goals-against average of 2.82 and a save percentage of .895.

In addition to the on-ice competition, tonight’s game will have an emotional element as Claude Giroux returns to Philadelphia, this time as a member of the Senators. The former Flyers captain, now a pending free agent at 37 years old, reflects on his time in Philly as he faces his old team for possibly the last time this season.

“It’s always special to play here,” Giroux said. “A lot of good memories.”

As the Flyers continue to cope with injuries and seek to revitalize their performance, players like Travis Konecny are under scrutiny for their offensive contributions. Konecny, who has struggled to find the net since his return from injury, faces pressure to elevate his game as the team looks for scoring depth across the lineup.

The match-up promises to be a test for the Flyers, who must find a way to regain their scoring touch against an Ottawa team riding high.