Flyers

Flyers vs. Wild Preview: A Challenge Up North

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published19 hours ago on December 14, 2024

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Flyers Wild

The Minnesota Wild have just six regulation losses this season, fewest in the NHL. In two of them, they have set their season-high in goals allowed with seven. The most recent of the two came on Thursday night in a 7-1 loss to Edmonton. The first was on Oct. 26, the first meeting against the Flyers, a 7-5 win for the Orange and Black.

The two teams meet again for the final time in the 2024-25 season on Saturday afternoon, another test for the Flyers, who have a 6-2-2 record in the last 10 games.

Game time is 2 p.m.

Team Leaders

Philadelphia Flyers GP G A P Detroit Red Wings GP G A P
Travis Konecny 30 15 21 36 Kirill Kaprizov 28 18 25 43
Matvei Michkov 28 11 16 27 Matt Boldy 29 12 16 28
Travis Sanheim 30 5 13 18 Marco Rossi 29 10 14 24
Owen Tippett 30 9 7 16 Frederick Gaudreau 29 6 9 15
Sean Couturier 29 6 9 15 Brock Faber 29 3 12 15

Flyers Wild Players to Watch

Matvei Michkov saw his five-game points streak come to an end on Thursday, but still has eight points in his last four games.

Kirill Kaprizov has been among the league leaders in points all season. Kaprizov has 11 goals and 22 points in his last 16 games.

Flyers Wild Goalie Matchup

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers on Saturday. Ersson made 15 saves on 18 shots in Tuesday’s win in Columbus in his last start. Ersson also got the win against Minnesota on Oct. 26, making 21 saves on 26 shots.

Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start for the Wild. Fleury made seven saves on nine shots in relief of Filip Gustavsson on Thursday. In his last start, Fleury made 30 saves on 32 shots in a loss to the Kings. He had a personal five-game winning streak prior to that..

Projected Lineups

Flyers Lines

Flyers Scratches: Nick Deslauriers (injury), Ivan Fedotov (healthy), Erik Johnson (healthy), Emil Andrae (healthy)

Wild Lines

Wild Scratches: Mats Zuccarello (injury), Jonas Brodin (injury), Joel Eriksson Ek (injury), Jake Middleton (injury), Reece Johnson (healthy), Cameron Crotty (healthy)

Lineup Notes

  • Flyers: No lineup changes are expected for the Flyers.
  • Wild: The Wild claimed Travis Dermott off waivers on Friday and he is expected to play on Saturday.

Game Notes

  • Power Play: Flyers (17.2% – 26th), Wild (19.5% – 19th)
  • Penalty Kill: Flyers (80.0% – 16th), Wild (70.4% – 30th)
  • Recent History vs. Wild
    • Oct. 26, 2024 – Flyers 7, Wild 5 (at PHI)
  • Team Leaders vs. Wild
    • Bobby Brink – 1 GP, 2 G, 0 A, 2 P
    • Matvei Michkov – 1 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
    • San Couturier – 17 GP, 9 G, 6 A, 15 P
    • Sam Ersson – 1 GP, 1-0-0, 5.02 GAA, .808 SV%
  • Milestone Watch
    • Sean Couturier needs three goals to reach 200 for his career.

Where to Watch

  • TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
  • Radio: Flyers Broadcast Network