The Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets meet again, just days after their thrilling shootout battle in Winnipeg, and this time, the Wells Fargo Center is the stage.
The Flyers took the extra point in that contest, proving yet again that they can hang with some of the NHL’s best, but they followed it up with a bit of a stumble against Calgary on Tuesday.
Now, with their playoff push still very much alive, they’re looking to reset, refocus, and take care of business against a formidable Winnipeg squad.
1. A Lesson Learned Against Calgary—Keep It Simple, Keep It Direct
Tuesday’s game against the Flames was a frustrating one. After such a structured, well-executed performance in Winnipeg, the Flyers strayed from the style of hockey that makes them successful.
They got a little too loose, a little too ambitious in their decision-making, and Calgary made them pay for it. It wasn’t a total collapse by any means, but it was a reminder that when the Flyers overcomplicate things, they open the door for mistakes.
At their best, this team thrives on a direct, hard-nosed approach. They forecheck aggressively, they win puck battles, they generate offense by forcing turnovers and attacking quickly in transition. It’s not about flashy plays or forcing cross-ice passes—it’s about making smart, simple decisions and wearing opponents down.
When they played that way against Winnipeg on Sunday, they kept one of the league’s best defensive teams on their heels. Against Calgary, when they tried to do a little too much, the structure fell apart.
Expect John Tortorella to hammer home the importance of playing “their” game. That means smart puck management, relentless effort on the forecheck, and getting to the dirty areas. When they stick to that identity, they’re a tough team to beat.
2. Sam Ersson’s Reset—A Chance to Bounce Back
Sam Ersson didn’t have his best night against Calgary. Pulled after just one period, it was one of those rare rough outings where nothing seemed to go right. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Ersson, it’s that he has an incredibly short memory when it comes to bad games. He’s been the Flyers’ backbone for much of this season, and his mental toughness is one of his biggest strengths.
The good news? Ersson doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel to get back on track—he just needs to settle into his game. When he’s at his best, he’s calm, technically sound, and lets the play come to him. His rebound control is excellent, his positioning is sharp, and he doesn’t get rattled when things get chaotic in front of him. He’s capable, he’s confident, and there’s no doubt the team trusts him to bounce back strong.
3. Winnipeg’s Defensive Strength—Breaking Through Won’t Be Easy
The Flyers have beaten the Jets four straight times, which is an impressive feat considering how strong Winnipeg has been this season. But make no mistake—this is still a powerhouse team, and their defensive structure is a huge reason why.
Winnipeg allows among the fewest goals per game in the league, and it’s not just because of elite goaltending. They play a disciplined, structured defensive system that limits high-danger chances, clogs passing lanes, and forces opponents into low-percentage shots. Their blue line, anchored by Josh Morrissey, is mobile and physical, and their forwards buy in defensively, making it difficult to generate sustained pressure.
So how do the Flyers break through? The same way they did on Sunday—by attacking with speed, forcing mistakes, and getting to the front of the net. In that game, they made life difficult for Winnipeg by getting pucks deep and making their defensemen work to retrieve them. They won board battles, funneled pucks to the crease, and found success by being relentless. That’s the blueprint.
They also can’t afford to get frustrated if the goals don’t come right away. Winnipeg is a team that doesn’t give up much, so patience will be key. If the Flyers can stick to their structure and continue to apply pressure, they’ll create their opportunities.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Andrei Kuzmenko - Scott Laughton - Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Nicolas Desluariers - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier
Defense:
Cam York - Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies:
Samuel Ersson
Ivan Fedotov
Winnipeg Jets
Forwards:
Kyle Connor - Mark Schiefele - Gabriel Vilardi
Nikolaj Ehlers - Vladislav Namestnikov - Cole Perfetti
Nino Niederreiter - Adam Lowry - Mason Appleton
Morgan Barron - David Gustafsson - Alex Iafallo
Defense:
Josh Morrissey - Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg - Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley - Colin Miller
Goalies:
Eric Comrie
Connor Hellebuyck
Jakob Pelletier Speaks On First Game Against Flames; Settling In With Flyers
Jakob Pelletier knew this game was coming.
Joel Farabee & Morgan Frost Return For First Game Against Flyers
It wasn't quite the homecoming they had imagined.
Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen Is Focused On The Present, Unbothered by the Noise
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)