Gameday 11 Preview: Flyers vs. Blues

Siobhan Nolan

Oct 31, 2024, 17:38

Siobhan Nolan

Oct 31, 2024, 17:38

The Philadelphia Flyers are riding high off a monumental 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins—one that ended two notable droughts in Beantown, marking their first regulation win in Boston since 2011 and their first shutout there since 2006.

The Philadelphia Flyers are riding high off a monumental 2-0 victory over the Boston Bruins—one that ended two notable droughts in Beantown, marking their first regulation win in Boston since 2011 and their first shutout there since 2006.

Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News - Gameday 11 Preview: Flyers vs. Blues

With Sam Ersson holding down the crease once again and the defense looking increasingly unified, there's a palpable sense of momentum building in the Flyers' locker room.

Slowly But Surely Building

The Flyers' win over the Bruins was nothing short of their best defensive performance all season, as they locked down Boston's attack and smothered high-danger chances. Ersson, consistently in good form, handled the pressure and stepped up to deliver his first shutout of the season.

But the shutout was a collective effort, with the Flyers' blue line and forward group blocking lanes, closing gaps, and committing to their assignments. For a team that's shown inconsistency this season, that kind of defensive unity was a defining moment.

Tonight, the Flyers' challenge will be replicating that cohesiveness. St. Louis brings a mix of physicality and skill that will demand attentiveness, and the Blues are more than capable of punishing lapses in structure.

The Flyers' emphasis in the locker room has been about sustaining a high-level performance for multiple games, so this matchup will be an immediate test of how they respond to that goal. Defensive sharpness won't just give them a better chance at victory—it's essential for fostering the team identity that head coach John Tortorella is trying to cultivate.

Riding The Momentum

Sam Ersson gets the nod in net once again after a confidence-boosting performance against Boston, and he'll be a pivotal figure as the Flyers look to string together consistent results. His positioning, focus, and resilience were on full display in the Bruins game, and now he has the opportunity to build on that and solidify his role within the Flyers' goaltending rotation.

The Blues present their own set of challenges, with players like Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn capable of creating havoc in the crease. Ersson's ability to stay poised and command his area will be crucial, especially against a team that thrives on second-chance opportunities.

If he can match or even come close to his recent form, the Flyers may well find themselves able to grind out another victory. Ersson's play tonight could be a bellwether for the team's ability to anchor games from the net out.

Fight To The Finish

The Flyers' offensive tenacity has been one of their most promising traits this season, even if finishing hasn't always come easily. Against the Bruins, the Flyers stuck to their aggressive approach, creating pressure and outworking Boston in the attacking zone.

While they only managed to score one goal with an empty-net tally sealing the win, that relentless offensive push wore down the opposition and showcased a level of resilience that's becoming a hallmark of this team.

As they prepare to face the Blues, the Flyers need to bring that same drive. Players like Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and Joel Farabee have shown flashes of brilliance, and the entire forward lineup is proving they're willing to battle hard for every chance.

Tonight, the focus will be on seizing opportunities opportunities and converting more of their chances. The Flyers' ability to capitalize on this offensive grit will be crucial, especially in a tight game where one or two goals could swing the momentum.