Gameday 74 Preview: Flyers vs. Canadiens

It's been a wild, tumultuous, and frankly exhausting stretch of games for the Philadelphia Flyers, but no storyline looms larger than what happened this morning—John Tortorella is out.

After nearly three full seasons behind the bench, the fiery head coach was relieved of his duties, sending shockwaves through the fanbase. And now, with just nine games left in the season, the Flyers find themselves in a strange, limbo-like state.

Associate coach Brad Shaw steps in as interim head coach, tasked with guiding the team through the final push. It's a tough spot to be in, and how the team responds to this shake-up will be interesting to watch.

But regardless of the chaos, they still have a game to play tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, and with a win being badly needed, the Flyers have to find a way to snap their losing skid and get back on track.

1. The Post-Tortorella Era Begins (At Least for Now)

When a coach is fired this late in the season, it raises a ton of questions—many of which won’t be answered until the offseason. But in the short term, all eyes will be on how the Flyers respond under Brad Shaw.

Shaw, who has been with the team as an associate coach since 2022, has earned the players’ respect. He’s known for his structured approach and ability to connect with his players without the volatility Tortorella often brought. That said, taking over with nine games left doesn’t give him much time to reinvent the wheel. Instead, his job will likely be to refocus and recalibrate the group, especially after the emotional rollercoaster they’ve been on.

The immediate question is whether we’ll see a different energy from the team tonight. Coaching changes can sometimes lead to a short-term boost—whether out of relief, motivation, or simply the shock of the situation. Given how demoralizing the last string of results have been, a jolt of fresh energy might be exactly what they need.

Expect to see small but important tweaks, particularly in how they approach in-game adjustments. Shaw might take a more fluid approach than Tortorella, especially with how he manages ice time and deployment. 

2. All Eyes on the Defense

For much of the season, the Flyers’ defensive play has been their identity. They were stingy, structured, and committed to the hard areas of the ice. Lately, though, that hasn't always been the case. 

If there’s one area where Shaw’s influence could be felt immediately, it’s here. As the team’s defensive overseer, he’s already had a major hand in shaping their systems, and now, as the head coach, he might have the freedom to implement some adjustments.

One issue that’s plagued them recently is their struggles in defensive-zone exits. Too often, they get hemmed in their own end, either failing to make a clean first pass or losing board battles along the walls. Against a Canadiens team that thrives on aggressive forechecking and transition play, that could be a major problem if not addressed.

The other key factor will be how the defensemen are utilized. Will Shaw lean more heavily on his shutdown guys, or will he encourage a more balanced approach, perhaps giving younger players more opportunities? That remains to be seen, but given his background, expect a more detail-oriented defensive effort from the Flyers tonight.

3. The Canadiens’ Speed Will Be a Problem If the Flyers Aren’t ReadyM

Montreal won't be an easy opponent for the Flyers in their first game of this new era. The Canadiens are a classic example of a team that plays loose and fearless —and that makes them dangerous.

The biggest threat they pose? Speed.

The Canadiens play a fast, aggressive style, with young, skilled forwards who thrive on quick transitions. Players like Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield don’t need much space to make an impact, and if the Flyers aren’t sharp in their positioning, they’ll get burned in transition.

One area where Montreal excels is forcing turnovers in the neutral zone. They clog passing lanes, pressure puck carriers, and look for quick-strike opportunities the other way. If the Flyers aren’t making smart, decisive plays through the middle of the ice, they could find themselves scrambling to defend odd-man rushes all night long.

The key for the Flyers will be dictating the pace of play. If they can establish their forecheck early, slow the game down when needed, and avoid careless turnovers, they’ll have a much better chance of controlling the game. But if they get caught chasing, Montreal has the firepower to make them pay.

Final Thoughts

This is a pivotal moment for the Flyers. The loss of Tortorella, no matter how one feels about him, is a major shake-up. The team is reeling from a tough stretch of games, and the pressure of the playoff race isn’t getting any lighter. But with all that said, they still have a chance.

Tonight’s game against Montreal isn’t just about getting two points. It’s about showing that they’re still locked in, still fighting, and still capable of making a push. The response to adversity will tell us a lot about this group’s character.

With a new voice behind the bench, some potential defensive adjustments, and a fast, skilled opponent coming to town, the Flyers have their work cut out for them. But if they can rise to the occasion, shake off the recent turbulence, and play to their strengths, this could be the start of a much-needed turnaround.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink

Mate Michkov - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny

Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Jakob Pelletier

Nicolas Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Owen Tippett

Defense:

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula - Emil Andrae 

Goalies:

Samuel Ersson 

Ivan Fedotov

Montreal Canadiens

Forwards:

Cole Caufield - Nick Suzuki - Juraj Slafkovsky

Joshua Roy - Alex Newhook - Patrik Laine

Josh Anderson - Christian Dvorak - Brendan Gallagher

Emil Heineman - Jake Evans - Joel Armia

Defense:

Mike Matheson - Alexandre Carrier

Jayden Struble - Lane Hutson 

Arber Xhekaj - David Savard

Goalies:

Jakub Dobes

Sam Montembeault