The Philadelphia Flyers continue their homestand with a matchup against the Ottawa Senators, looking to build off their recent performances and get back to winning ways.
With just weeks remaining in the regular season, every point carries immense weight, and the Flyers are well aware of what’s at stake. They’ve handled the pressure well, maintaining their composure and keeping their focus on finishing strong, but it’s not an easy road.
Not that the Flyers have done this with any opponent this year, but Ottawa is not a team to be taken lightly. The Senators have enough firepower to make things interesting, and if the Flyers aren’t sharp, this could turn another disappointing result in the blink of an eye.
1. Ivan Fedotov Gets the Net Again
For the second straight game, Ivan Fedotov will get the start between the pipes. It’s a notable decision by John Tortorella, considering Sam Ersson has shouldered much of the workload down the stretch, but Fedotov’s recent performances have earned him another look.
The big Russian netminder has had a whirlwind season. Dealing with inconsistent playing time as he continues adjusting to the NHL game, his journey has been anything but smooth. But despite the hurdles, he’s shown flashes of the goalie the Flyers believed they were getting when they brought him over from the KHL. His size (6-foot-7) is an undeniable asset, covering a ton of the net even before he makes a move. And when he’s locked in, his ability to track pucks and make tough saves looks effortless.
The challenge, as always, is consistency. In his last start, he was solid, making key saves and keeping the team competitive. Now, the question is whether he can build on that performance and deliver another steady outing.
With the Flyers fighting for every possible point, goaltending is going to be a huge factor down the stretch. If Fedotov can step up and continue to provide quality minutes, it not only gives the team another reliable option in net but also allows Ersson some much-needed rest.
2. Emil Andrae Enters the Lineup
The Flyers are shaking things up on the blue line, with Egor Zamula coming out of the lineup and Emil Andrae slotting in. It’s an intriguing move, and it will be worth watching how the defensive pairings adjust with the swap.
Zamula has been fairly solid overall this season, taking noticeable strides in his development, but his play has dipped a bit lately. With the Flyers needing to be at their best defensively, Tortorella is making the call to give Andrae another shot.
Andrae is a fascinating player. He’s got a high hockey IQ, moves the puck well, and isn’t afraid to jump into the play offensively. At his best, he brings an element of dynamism that can help push the pace. However, the challenge for him has always been the defensive side of things. He’s not the biggest player, so he has to rely on his positioning and awareness to be effective in his own zone.
It’ll be interesting to see how he fits in tonight. The Flyers are at their best when their defensemen are active in transition, and Andrae’s ability to make quick decisions with the puck could be a boost. But he’ll also need to be sharp defensively, especially against a Senators team that has skill and speed up front. His likely pairing with Rasmus Ristolainen should help balance that out, and as Andrae is expected to stay with the Flyers for the remainder of the season, he’ll have plenty of time to find his best fit.
3. The Flyers Must Contain Ottawa’s Speed and Transition Game
The Senators can be very dangerous going forward—especially when they get going in transition. This is a group that can burn you off the rush if you give them time and space, and the Flyers will need to be disciplined in how they manage the puck.
Tim Stützle, Brady Tkachuk, and Drake Batherson are all capable of turning broken plays into high-danger chances. Stützle, in particular, is a player to watch. He’s got elite skating ability, quick hands, and the vision to make plays at full speed. If the Flyers aren’t careful, he’ll take advantage of any defensive lapses and create chaos in the offensive zone.
The key for the Flyers will be their puck management. Turnovers in the neutral zone can’t happen. If they get careless with the puck, Ottawa will capitalize. That means smart decisions from the defensemen when exiting the zone and responsible play from the forwards on the backcheck.
One of the Flyers’ biggest strengths this season has been their structured, aggressive forecheck. If they can establish that early and prevent Ottawa from cleanly breaking out, they’ll limit the Senators’ ability to use their speed effectively. But if they let Ottawa dictate the pace, it could turn into a track meet—and that’s not the kind of game the Flyers want to get into.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Owen Tippett – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov
Olle Lycksell – Ryan Poehling – Travis Konecny
Nicolas Deslauriers – Rodrigo Abols – Jakob Pelletier
Defense:
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale
Emil Andrae – Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies:
Ivan Fedotov
Samuel Ersson
Ottawa Senators
Forwards:
Brady Tkachuk – Tim Stutzle – Claude Giroux
David Perron – Dylan Cozens – Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig – Shane Pinto – Michael Amadio
Matthew Highmore – Adam Gaudette – Fabian Zetterlund
Defense:
Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven – Nikolas Matinpalo
Goalies:
Anton Forsberg
Linus Ullmark
