Gameday 19 Preview: Flyers vs. Avalanche

Siobhan Nolan

Nov 18, 2024, 17:33

Siobhan Nolan

Nov 18, 2024, 17:33

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to take on the Colorado Avalanche tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, looking for their fourth straight win in the second game of their five-game homestand.

Kyle Ross-Imagn Images - Gameday 19 Preview: Flyers vs. Avalanche

The Philadelphia Flyers are set to take on the Colorado Avalanche tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, looking for their fourth straight win in the second game of their five-game homestand.

While the Flyers are coming off their most cohesive performance of the season—a confident 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres—this matchup against the Avalanche will be a true litmus test for John Tortorella's squad. Colorado, who also had a slow start to their season, still boasts speed, skill, and a deep offensive arsenal, making them one of the league's toughest teams to contain.

Despite some lineup adjustments due to injuries, the Flyers will look to build on their recent success and prove they can hang with some of the most high-octane teams in the NHL.

Kolosov Gets The Nod In Net

With Sam Ersson officially placed on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury, the goaltending responsibilities will fall to Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov— with Kolosov starting in goal for the Flyers tonight, his first opportunity since Nov. 5. Kolosov has shown flashes of ability during his early North American career, and tonight he'll need to be sharp. The Avalanche are a team that can make life difficult for goaltenders with their high-paced, relentless attack, led by stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

This game represents a significant challenge for Kolosov, but it also provides an opportunity to prove he belongs in the NHL level. With Fedotov carrying a heavy workload recently, the Flyers will be counting on Kolosov to give them a chance to win against a dangerous opponent.

Grans Steps In, Andrae Sits Out

In a blow to the Flyers' defensive corps, Emil Andrae is sidelined with a mid-body injury sustained against the Sabres. Andrae has been a revelation on the blue line this season, contributing not only defensively but also as a key playmaker. His absence creates a noticeable void in the Flyers' lineup, particularly on the powerplay, where his vision and puck-moving ability have been invaluable.

To fill that gap, Helge Grans has been called up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Grans, a promising young defenseman with size and mobility, will slot into the lineup and have a chance to showcase his skills against one of the league's fastest teams. While his NHL experience is limited, Grans has been a solid contributor in the AHL and will aim to bring physicality and poise to the Flyers' defense.

Matching Colorado's Speed And Depth

Colorado's calling card is their speed, and the Flyers' defense will need to be ready for relentless pressure in transition. Players like Nathan MacKinnon thrive on catching opponents flat-footed, and the Avalanche's depth means the Flyers can't afford to let their guard down at any point.

That said, the Flyers have quietly built a faster and more dynamic lineup of their own. Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and Anthony Richard injected pace and creativity into the offense, while the defense—anchored by Travis Sanheim and now supported by Grans—has started to gel into a cohesive unit.

Philadelphia will need to play with the same connectivity they displayed in their victory over Buffalo. Smart puck management, quick transitions, and disciplined defensive positioning will be key to keeping the Avalanche's offense in check.