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…