Flyers-Ducks Preview: Welcome Back Cutter

Since returning from the holiday break. the Flyers are 2-3-1 in six games. The first game of post-holiday play came in Anaheim, a game that many had circled on their calendars, the first meeting between the Flyers and Cutter Gauthier.

Now, the scene shifts to Philadelphia, where a surely energetic Wells Fargo Center awaits. The Flyers face the Anaheim Ducks again as the homestand continues.

Game time is 7 p.m.

Team Leaders

Matvei Michkov is back in a scoring slump, going without a point in his last five games. He did have a strong game against Toronto on Tuesday with eight shots on goal.

Cutter Gauthier has also struggled to put together points consistently this season. He has five goals and 18 points on the season, but just one goal and six points in his last 14 games.

Sam Ersson gets the start for the Flyers. Ersson made 19 saves on 22 shots on Thursday night against the Dallas Stars in his return from injury. Ersson also made 32 saves on 33 shots in a win over the Ducks on Dec. 28.

John Gibson is expected to start for the Ducks. Gibson entered in relief on Thursday against the Blues, making 12 saves on 12 shots. He took the loss in overtime in his last start, allowing three goals on 33 shots against the Flames on Tuesday.

Projected Lineups

Flyers Scratches: Nick Deslauriers (injury), Joel Farabee (healthy), Erik Johnson (healthy), Aleksei Kolosov (healthy)

Ducks Scratches: Trevor Zegras (injury), Brock McGinn (injury), Olen Zellweger (healthy), Ross Johnston (healthy), Troy Terry (personal)

Lineup Notes

• Flyers: Olle Lycksell comes back in to the lineup for Joel Farabee. There are no other changes to the lineup.
• Ducks: The Ducks did not have a morning skate on Saturday. No changes are expected to the lineup.

Game Notes

• Power Play: Flyers (14.7% - 29th), Ducks (13.3% - 30th)
• Penalty Kill: Flyers (78.6% - T-17th), Ducks (73.9% - 26th)
• Recent History vs. Ducks 
  • Dec. 28, 2024 - Flyers 3, Ducks 1 (at ANA)
• Team Leaders vs. Ducks
  • Sean Couturier - 17 GP, 9 G, 9 A, 18 P
  • Joel Farabee - 7 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P
  • Bobby Brink - 3 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 P
  • Sam Ersson - 5 GP. 4-1-0, 2.80 GAA, .908 SV%
• Milestone Watch
  • Sean Couturier needs two goals to reach 200 for his career.
  • Joel Farabee needs four points to reach 200 for his career.
  • Rasmus Ristolainen needs four points to reach 300 for his career.

Where to Watch

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

Video Preview

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Kevin Durso is Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN. Follow him on social media @Kevin_Durso.