Philadelphia Flyers News

Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom will rest on Monday after starting the Flames' last three games, allowing Vladar to emerge as the starter against the Seattle Kraken. Vladar was terrific last season, often outperforming Markstrom, but has had trouble regaining that confidence this season. As a result of his inconsistent play, Vladar has been limited to four games this season (2-1-1), posting an ugly 3.92 GAA and .858 SV%. The Flames last played the Kraken on November 4th, a 6-3 win where Vladar saved 17 of 20 shots (.850 SV%).

Tomasino has a goal, an assist, six SOG, two PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through eight games but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday vs. Anaheim. The 22-year-old centre will head to the press box as Michael McCarron takes his spot on the Predators' fourth line.

Duck coach Greg Cronin announced that Zegras has been dealing with a lower-body issue for some time, which could be part of the reason for his sluggish start to the 2023-24 campaign. The talented forward has seen his ice-time drop nearly a full minute since last season and has only scored two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games thus far. The Ducks have not given an expected timeline on Zegras' return.

Duck coach Greg Cronin announced that Zegras has been dealing with a lower-body issue for some time, which could be part of the reason for his sluggish start to the 2023-24 campaign. The talented forward has seen his ice-time drop nearly a full minute since last season and has only scored two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games thus far.

Carter Hart was originally the confirmed starter for the Flyers on Friday but has since been ruled out of the game due to illness. Ersson has started two of the last three games for the Flyers but has struggled to guide his team to victory. In five games (1-3-1), Ersson has an ugly 3.52 GAA and .830 SV%. The Flyers are slight -110 road favourites against an Anaheim Ducks team that will be without star forward Trevas Zegras.

With Jacob Markstrom out of the lineup, Vladar will start for the fourth time this season. There was some speculation that Dustin Wolf, recalled from the AHL on Thursday, would get the start but the Flames will turn to the more experienced Vladar for the time being. In three games this season (2-1-0), Vladar has a 4.00 GAA and .844 SV%. The Flames are +135 road underdogs on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Last season against the Maple Leafs, Vladar allowed five goals on 34 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss.

Couturier will return to the Flyers lineup after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury. He is expected to re-assume his role on the top line and top powerplay as Morgan Frost will serve as a healthy scratch. Couturier has eight points (2G / 6A) while averaging 19:32 time-on-ice through 10 games.

With Carter Hart still out of the lineup and Cal Petersen having a poor performance in his Flyers debut on Saturday, Ersson will man the crease on Tuesday. Ersson's dreadful 3.90 GAA and .815 SV% don't inspire much confidence, but a matchup against the bottom-dwelling San Jose Sharks could be exactly what is needed to turn his season around. The Flyers, who will welcome Sean Couturier back into the lineup, are -186 road favourites against a Sharks team that has been outscored 20-3 in their past two contests.

Dvorak missed the Canadiens' first 10 games due to a knee injury but will make his debut Saturday vs. St. Louis. The 27-year-old will be welcomed back to Montreal's lineup as he enters his eighth NHL season after posting 10 goals, 18 assists, 88 SOG, six PIMs and a -12 plus/minus in 64 games in 2022-23.

The severity of Carter Hart's mid-body injury isn't fully known but he has officially been ruled out of Friday's matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, allowing Ersson to serve as the starting goalie. The Flyers have struggled when Hart has not been between the pipes, as is evident by Ersson's 4.91 GAA and .763 SV% in three games (0-3-0). To boot, the Flyers will be without Sean Couturier and are facing a Buffalo Sabres team that has outscored their opposition 19-11 in their last four games (3-1-0).

Couturier has played all 10 games for the Flyers this season, recording eight points (2G / 6A), but will not play on Friday due to a lower-body injury. Injuries are extra concerning when it comes to Couturier but, fortunately for the Flyers, this does not seem to be related to the back complications that forced him to miss the majority of the previous three seasons. Couturier missed the 2022-23 campaign in its entirety due to injuries and only played 74 combined games in the two seasons prior.