Four games into the home stand and the Flyers are still searching for a win. And the game will get much tougher as they go. Ottawa is coming over a rather large win over the Red Wings, though will be playing the second half of a back-to-back.
This is the first meeting between the two teams since an overtime victory for the Flyers back in November. It was a back and forth game which the two traded goals in the first two periods before Philadelphia came back from a 4-2 deficit in the third period. Matvei Michkov scored the impressive overtime winner, managing to beat Linus Ullmark from the goal-line.
Ivan Fedotov, who will make back to back starts for the first time since Jan 5-7, stopped 33 shots in the win. That including a game-saving play as he dove across to stop the one-time attempt from Shane Pinto in the overtime period.
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite losing their fourth straight game on Sunday, the Flyers believed it was one of their better defensive efforts. The numbers do indicate that Philadelphia had the better play, controlling the game, especially in the third period. But scoring one goal for the third straight game, they need more. Sometimes getting the dirty or greasy goals are all it takes for the floodgates to open back up.
With the season winding down and playoffs an unlikely destination, it's becoming evaluation time for the Flyers. Emil Andrae will check back into the lineup after missing the game against the Devils. He struggled at times on Saturday, the reason he was a healthy scratch. But John Tortorella wants to continue getting a look at one of his young defenseman. Egor Zamula will be the one on the outside, but it's more about getting Andrae in.
Giving Fedotov a second straight start could be looked at two ways. Sam Ersson has struggled since returning from the 4 Nations and the team may be trying to avoid burning him out. Fedotov also played well against the Devils, keeping the Flyers in the game. He has another year on his contract, but the evaluation is also on him with Aleksei Kolosov down with the Phantoms.
Flyers Projected Roster
Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink
Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Matvei Michkov
Olle Lycksell - Ryan Poehling - Travis Konecny
Nic Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Jakob Pelletier
Travis Sanheim - Cam York
Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale
Emil Andrae - Rasmus Ristolainen
Ivan Fedotov
Ottawa Senators
The Senators come in on a good stretch, having won four of their last five games. They have a five-game point streak coming in as well. The wild card race is still close in the East so every point matters to each team in the fight. Ottawa has a one-point lead over Columbus, who hold the second spot. The Rangers are only two points out while three teams are four points out.
Ottawa has been led by Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. Stutzle has hit the 20-goal mark for the third time in his five-year career and could finish with his second best point total as he currently has 65. Tkachuk is close to hitting the 30-goal mark for the fourth straight year, though his 50 points are down from recent years.
The Flyers may get lucky avoiding Linus Ullmark, who put together an incredible game against the Red Wings. He stopped 48 shots, many coming via highlight reel plays. Instead, Anton Forsberg will make his first start since Feb. 6. Forsberg has won three of his last four starts but his overall numbers leave a bit more to be desired. He has a 2.82 GAA and a .895 SV% in 22 games.
Senators Projected Roster
Brady Tkachuk - Tim Stutzle - Claude Giroux
David Perron - Dylan Cozens - Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig - Shane Pinto - Michael Amadio
Matthew Highmore - Adam Gaudette - Fabian Zetterlund
Jake Sanderson - Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot - Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven - Nikolas Matinpalo
Anton Forsberg
When, Where, and How to Watch
Time: 7:00
Where: Wells Fargo Center
Watch: NBCSP
Radio: 93.3 WMMR
Live Stream: FuboTv
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