Flyers-Jets Preview: Flying High

It was looking like a bleak start to the road trip for the Flyers on Friday night, before a quick two-goal rally set the stage for another overtime win. That's become a trend for the Flyers, who have shown lately that they are willing to go the distance to secure two points.

Over the last 26 games, 13 have gone beyond regulation. The Flyers have a 8-5 record in those games.

Another reason of significance for the comeback win on Friday was the team's next opponent on Saturday. The Winnipeg Jets have soared to the top of the NHL standings with a 14-game points streak. They having won eight straight games and 12 of those 14 games.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers	GP	G	A	P	Winnipeg Jets	GP	G	A	P
Travis Konecny	42	21	18	39	Mark Scheifele	41	14	27	41
Joel Farabee	42	14	18	32	Nikolaj Ehlers	41	15	18	33
Sean Couturier	40	10	19	29	Josh Morrissey	41	7	25	32
Owen Tippett	42	15	11	26	Cole Perfetti	41	14	15	29
Travis Sanheim	41	4	21	25	Kyle Connor	26	17	11	28

Travis Konecny has gone three games without a goal, but continues to pile up points with three assists in the last two games. He has points in nine of the last 10 games dating back to Dec. 22.

Nikolaj Ehlers has played a key role in the Jets winning streak. He has points in six straight games, including goals in four of the last six.

Sam Ersson is expected to start for the Flyers. Ersson made 17 saves on 19 shots in a shootout win over Montreal on Wednesday. After a stretch of eight wins in 10 starts, Ersson has lost three of his last five.

Connor Hellebuyck gets the start for the Jets. Hellebuyck has been excellent all season, ranking in the top five in both goals against average and save percentage. He enters Saturday on a personal five-game winning streak and has not suffered a regulation loss since Nov. 30. His last start on Tuesday was a 29-save shutout against Columbus.

Projected Lineup

Flyers Scratches: Noah Cates (injury), Sean Couturier (injury), Jamie Drysdale (illness)

Jets Scratches: Kyle Connor (injury), Mark Scheifele (injury), David Gustafsson (injury), Ville Heinola (injury), Declan Chisholm (healthy), Logan Stanley (healthy)

Lineup Notes

Flyers: Sean Couturier will miss the game with a lower-body injury. Jamie Drysdale is out with an illness. Bobby Brink and Marc Staal draw back into the lineup.
Jets: Nikolaj Ehlers will be a game-time decision after leaving practice on Friday. Mark Scheifele will miss Saturday's game with a lower-body injury. Rasmus Kupari returns to the lineup after missing 26 games. Kyle Connor is nearing a return and took part in the morning skate in a full-contact jersey.

Game Notes

Power Play: Flyers (11.9% - 32nd), Jets (17.5% - 23rd)
Penalty Kill: Flyers (86.5% - 2nd), Jets (76.3% - 26th)
Recent History vs. Jets
- Jan. 28, 2023 - Flyers 4, Jets 0 (at WPG)
- Jan. 22, 2023 - Jets 5, Flyers 3 (at PHI)
Flyers Leaders vs. Jets
- Cam Atkinson: 14 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 P
- Sean Couturier: 19 GP, 5 G, 3 A, 8 P
- Rasmus Ristolainen: 15 GP, 1 G, 6 A, 7 P
- Carter Hart: 5 GP, 4-0-0, 1.15 GAA, .964 SV%
Milestone Watch
- Garnet Hathaway plays in his 500th NHL game on Saturday. He becomes the third Florida-born skater in NHL history reach the milestone.
- Sean Couturier needs one assist to reach 300 for his career.