Philadelphia Flyers News

Ersson draws his second-straight start for the first time this season after Carter Hart (illness) was announced out Thursday. The 24-year-old Flyers backup has fought the puck most nights when between the crease this season, with his 5-3-2 record, 2.80 GAA and .883 SV%. He will host the Washington Capitals Thursday, who have won their last two games but are struggling offensively as they are 29th in the NHL in shots per game (27.9) and 30th in goals (2.48).

Despite an unflattering .885 SV% to go with a 2.78 GAA, Ersson has won four straight games, stringing together the best play of his career at the NHL level. Ersson has only allowed eight total goals on 117 shots (.932 SV%) and recorded a shutout during his four-game winning streak, a significant uptick in play after starting the season with a .830 SV% in his first five outings (1-3-1). The Flyers have won four straight but are +126 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).

Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).

Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will likely return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).

Zegras has not played since November 7th but could return to the lineup for the Ducks on their upcoming four-game road trip. Zegras struggled to start the season but was presumably playing through his current injury, scoring only two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games. Expect Zegras to get top offensive deployment immediately when he returns to the lineup.

Drysdale has not played since October 15th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup at some point during the Ducks' upcoming four-game road trip. Drysdale has struggled to stay healthy during his young NHL career, but the 21-year-old has 42 points (7G / 35A) in 115 career games and has the offensive pedigree that could make him a staple on the powerplay for the Ducks.

Cates has not played since November 25th due to a broken foot and was placed on the Injured Reserve Tuesday as the Flyers recalled Olle Lyksell. The 24-year-old Cates had gotten off to a slow start in 2023-24 with only a goal, three assists, 19 SOG, and a -3 plus/minus in 21 games prior to his injury.

With Jacob Markstrom out week-to-week with a fractured finger, Vladar will assume the role of starting goaltender on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The Flames have also recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL and will presumably have the two netminders battle it out for starts while Markstrom is unable to play. Vladar has been inconsistent this season but is coming off his strongest performance to date, a 27-save (.964 SV%) 2-1 overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Flames are slight +102 home underdogs against a Wild team that won three straight since their coaching change, outscoring their opposition 13-3.

With Jacob Markstrom out week-to-week with a fractured finger, Vladar will assume the role of starting goaltender on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The Flames have also recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL and will presumably have the two netminders battle it out for starts while Markstrom is unable to play. Vladar has been inconsistent this season but is coming off his strongest performance to date, a 27-save (.964 SV%) 2-1 overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Flames are slight +102 home underdogs against a Wild team that won three straight since their coaching change, outscoring their opposition 13-3.

Brink will likely be featured in the Flyers lineup more regularly going forward, as Noah Cates will miss six to eight weeks with a lower-body injury. Brink has been very productive when in the lineup, scoring 10 points (4G / 6A) in 16 games this season. He is expected to play with Ryan Poehling and Joel Farabee.

Cates is battling an undisclosed injury that will keep him out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In 21 games this season, the 24-year-old Cates has four points (1G / 3A), averaging 14:25 time-on-ice. He will be replaced by Bobby Brink, who has been very productive when in the lineup, scoring 10 points (4G / 6A) in 16 games this season.

Dan Vladar will make his second consecutive start in Monday night's game against the Golden Knights. Jacob Markstrom was confirmed to start earlier in the day but was a late scratch due to an illness. Vladar owns a 3-2-1 record and an .869 SV% on the season. The Flames are slight -103 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team that, after an 11-0-1 start, is 3-5-1 in their last nine and have been shut out in two of their last three outings (1-2-0), though that line could shift after the news of Markstrom's absence.

Vladar will get the call for the tail-end of Calgary's back-to-back after starter Jacob Markstrom got the nod in Friday's 7-4 win over the Stars. Vladar's last appearance came on Monday against the Kraken, when he stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced enroute to the 4-3 victory. He draws a difficult road assignement on Saturday with the Flames being +140 underdogs to the Avalanche.

Brink has four goals, six assists, 25 SOG, four PIMs and a +3 plus/minus through 16 games this season but will be the odd man out of the Flyers' lineup Saturday vs. the New York Islanders. The 22-year-old right-winger will be replaced by Morgan Frost in the Flyers' lineup.

Ersson has backed up the Flyers' crease for the last two games but with Philadelphia on the second half of a back-to-back he will likely start Saturday. The 24-year-old has struggled to duplicate his success from last season with his 3-3-1 record, .863 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He takes on the surprisingly hot New York Islanders, who have won three-straight games but are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).

Ristolainen missed the Flyers' first 20 games of the 2023-24 season but has been activated off the injured reserve and will make his season debut vs. the Islanders Saturday. The 29-year-old will replace Egor Zamula and is entering his 11th NHL season after posting three goals and 20 points in 74 games played in 2022-23.

Ersson has backed up the Flyers' crease for the last two games but with Philadelphia on the second half of a back-to-back he will likely start Saturday. The 24-year-old has struggled to duplicate his success from last season with his 3-3-1 record, .863 SV% and 3.22 GAA. He takes on the surprisingly hot New York Islanders, who have won three-straight games but are 29th in the NHL in goals per game (2.68).