Flyers Face Uphill Battle Against Avalanche in Denver Showdown

DENVER, Colo. — The Philadelphia Flyers (23-24-6) face a daunting challenge Sunday afternoon as they take on the Colorado Avalanche (30-21-2) at Ball Arena. Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. EST, with coverage on NBCSP+ and radio broadcast on 93.3 WMMR. This marks the second and final meeting of the season between the two teams, with Colorado securing a 3-2 victory in their previous matchup on Nov. 18.

The Flyers enter the game amid an offensive slump, having scored just one regulation goal or been shut out in five of their last six games. Their struggles were highlighted in recent losses to the New Jersey Devils (5-0) and New York Islanders (3-0). Assistant captain Scott Laughton emphasized the need for simplicity, stating, “We need to get pucks and traffic to the net and avoid trying to make the perfect play.”

Philadelphia’s lineup is further hampered by injuries and roster changes. Owen Tippett (upper body) remains unavailable, while new acquisitions Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko are not yet with the team. Rookie Jacob Gaucher is set to make his NHL debut, centering a line with Nicolas Deslauriers and Garnet Hathaway.

Leading scorer Travis Konecny, who has 58 points this season, will be relied upon to spark the offense. However, Konecny has struggled to find the net recently, scoring just once in his last eight games. Meanwhile, rookie Matvei Michkov, benched in the second period of Thursday’s game, will look to bounce back. Michkov ranks third in rookie scoring leaguewide with 34 points.

The Avalanche, led by stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, present a formidable challenge. Makar scored twice in their previous meeting, and Colorado’s high-powered offense averages 3.30 goals per game. The Flyers will also contend with the altitude factor in Denver, which can impact stamina and recovery times.

Goaltender Samuel Ersson will need to deliver a standout performance for Philadelphia to have a chance. “If he can see it, he needs to stop it,” said Flyers head coach John Tortorella. The Flyers will aim to keep shifts short, minimize defensive zone time, and capitalize on any offensive opportunities to pull off an upset.