The Philadelphia Flyers are in a must-win situation tonight against the Buffalo Sabres and head coach John Tortorella is giving Ivan Fedotov his first NHL start.
The Philadelphia Flyers are in a must-win situation tonight against the Buffalo Sabres and head coach John Tortorella is giving Ivan Fedotov his first NHL start.
The Philadelphia Flyers are in a must-win situation tonight against the Buffalo Sabres and head coach John Tortorella is giving Ivan Fedotov his first NHL start.
Fedotov made his debut against the New York Islanders last Monday and was given high praise by his coach after the game.
"Only one guy played—the goalie," Tortorella said postgame. "[Fedotov was] terrific. He was the only guy that played...the only goddamn player that played in the second period."
In the second period Tortorella refers to, the Flyers were outshot 17-3. Fedotov even stopped Mathew Barzal on a breakaway for his first save in his NHL career.
Fedotov's journey to the NHL is one for the history books. Fedotov was drafted in the 7th round of the 2015 NHL Draft (188th overall). His 6'7 stature ties him as the biggest goalie ever in NHL history.
After staying in Russia post-draft to continue to develop, going through mandatory military service and not playing hockey for two years, Fedotov finally made his way to North America in March 2024.
All of this swirls as the Flyers sit third in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 2-5-3 in their last ten games. The Islanders have crept back into the race and are tied on points with the Flyers but have three less regulation wins, keeping the Flyers ahead on a tiebreaker.
With the Washington Capitals' loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, the race for the second wild-card spot and 3rd in the Metro has become even tighter. The Flyers, Capitals, Penguins, and Islanders are all vying for two spots. Don't forget about the Detroit Red Wings, one point behind the Islanders and Flyers, competing for the second wild-card spot.
So Ivan Fedotov, congratulations on your first start tonight; it's a big one.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
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