Flyers-Ducks Preview: Back to Work

The Flyers limped into the holiday break with a 7-3 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday night, bringing their December record to 3-6-1 and their season record to 15-16-4. The last five games have particularly been a struggle, with the Flyers allowing 28 goals.

Now back after four days off, the Flyers look to get things back on track. They start a five-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday afternoon.

Game time is 4 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Anaheim Ducks	GP	G	A	P
Travis Konecny	35	16	25	41	Troy Terry	33	9	16	25
Matvei Michkov	33	11	16	27	Frank Vatrano	32	9	8	17
Owen Tippett	35	11	11	22	Ryan Strome	33	5	11	16
Travis Sanheim	35	6	14	20	Alex Killorn	33	7	8	15
Sean Couturier	33	7	11	18	Mason McTavish	27	4	10	14

Matvei Michkov has hit a wall of late. After picking up 10 points on a five-game points streak entering December, he has gone six straight games without a point.

Cutter Gauthier faces the Flyers for the first time since being traded to Anaheim last January. Gauthier has one goal and three assists in 11 games this month.

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson struggled again in his last start on Monday, allowing five goals on 14 shots in two periods before exiting. Ersson has allowed 24 goals in six games since returning from injury.

Lukas Dostal is expected to start for the Ducks. Dostal made 19 saves on 22 shots in relief on Monday against Vegas. He made 21 saves on 25 shots in a win over Utah in his last start on Sunday.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Deslauriers (injury), Ivan Fedotov (healthy), Olle Lycksell (healthy), Erik Johnson (healthy)

Ducks Scratches: Trevor Zegras (injury), Brock McGinn (injury), Pavel Mintyukov (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Scott Laughton moves to the first line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny. Joel Farabee will play with Ryan Poehling and Garnet Hathaway on the fourth line. No other changes are expected.
Ducks: Brock McGinn left Monday's game with an injury and is expected to be out.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (15.6% - 27th), Ducks (13.9% - 30th)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (77.8% - 21st), Ducks (74.0% - 28th)
Recent History vs. Ducks
- Nov. 10, 2023 - Flyers 6, Ducks 3 (at ANA)
- Oct. 28, 2023 - Ducks 7, Flyers 4 (at PHI)
Team Leaders vs. Ducks
- Sean Couturier - 16 GP, 9 G, 9 A, 18 P
- Bobby Brink - 2 GP, 0 G, 2 A, 2 P
- Joel Farabee - 6 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P
- Sam Ersson - 4 GP, 3-1-0, 3.26 GAA, .891 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Travis Konecny plays in his 600th NHL game today.
- Bobby Brink plays in his 100th NHL game today.
- Sean Couturier needs two goals to reach 200 for his career.