The Philadelphia Flyers are buzzing. Since returning from the 4-Nations break, they’ve looked fast, confident, and—most importantly—fun.
Their latest victory, a shootout thriller against the Winnipeg Jets, proved they can hang with the best, and now they’ll turn their focus to the Calgary Flames in a matchup dripping with extra emotion.
This isn’t just another game on the schedule. It marks the return of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to Philadelphia for the first time since their January trades to Calgary.
Meanwhile, Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko will get their first crack at their former team as well, adding another layer to what already promises to be a compelling contest.
The Flames, on the other hand, have been sputtering offensively, but they remain a team with enough firepower to make life difficult.
The Flyers, still very much in the playoff hunt in the tightly packed Eastern Conference, can’t afford to take their foot off the gas.
1. The Flyers Are Finding Their Groove at the Right Time
Something clicked when the Flyers returned from the break. Maybe it was the chance to rest and reset. Maybe it was the confidence boost of seeing how many of their players were called upon to represent their countries. Whatever it was, they’ve come back looking sharp and energized, playing the kind of high-tempo, creative hockey that suits them best.
Their shootout win over Winnipeg wasn’t just exciting—it was a statement. They went toe-to-toe with a team that’s been dominant all season, proving once again that they can hang with the league’s elite. They’re not just grinding out wins; they’re having fun while doing it.
A big part of their recent success has come from their balanced offense. The lines of Tyson Foerster, Noah Cates, and Bobby Brink and Owen Tippett, Sean Couturier, and Matvei Michkov have been firing on all cylinders. Cates, in particular, has been a standout, showing off his impressive two-way capabilities and ruthlessness in front of the net. Michkov continues to dazzle, playing beyond his years with his vision and finishing ability, while Tippett’s speed remains a nightmare for defensemen.
It’s not just the top six either. The Flyers’ depth scoring has been solid, and their defense has settled into a more cohesive unit. If they can keep that momentum going, they’ll put themselves in a great position against a Calgary team that’s struggling to find its own rhythm.
2. An Emotional Night as Farabee and Frost Return to Philadelphia
There’s always something bittersweet about a player’s first game against their former team. When that team is the Flyers, and the players in question are homegrown talents like Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, it’s even bigger.
Drafted 14th overall in 2018, Farabee was slated to be a core piece of the Flyers’ future. However, the team decided to move on, sending him to Calgary in the blockbuster trade that brought Jakob Pelletier and Andrei Kuzmenko to Philly.
Frost’s story is similar. A 2017 first-round pick, he had flashes of brilliance but struggled with inconsistencies in his play. The move to Calgary gave him a fresh start, and he’ll undoubtedly be looking to prove a point in his first game back at Wells Fargo Center.
How the Flyers respond will be key. These types of games can carry extra emotion, and even though they’re all professionals who are no strangers to trade business, it’s easy to get caught up in the storyline. Despite the extra weight the outside world is putting on this matchup, the game plan for the Flyers will be simple—treat it like any other game: attack early, dictate the pace, and don’t let the Flames get any extra energy from their returning players.
At the same time, Pelletier and Kuzmenko will also want to leave their mark against their former team. Kuzmenko, in particular, has fit in nicely since arriving in Philadelphia, bringing a mix of skill and tenacity that meshes well with the Flyers’ identity. Expect him to be especially motivated to make an impact.
3. The Flames Are Struggling to Score, But the Flyers Can’t Take Them Lightly
Calgary’s offense has been in a rut lately, and if the Flyers play to their strengths, they have a prime opportunity to take advantage of it. The Flames have been generating chances, but their finishing has been inconsistent at best.
That being said, the Flames are still a team that can surprise you if given the chance. They play a hard, physical style, and they’ve been opportunistic in tight games. If the Flyers let their guard down, Calgary could easily find a way to grind out a win.
One area where the Flyers need to be sharp is on special teams. The Flames’ powerplay hasn’t been great, but the Flyers’ penalty kill will need to remain disciplined. On the flip side, the Flyers’ powerplay has been much improved in recent weeks, and they’ll want to capitalize if given opportunities.
The key for the Flyers? Start fast, maintain possession, and keep playing their brand of hockey. Calgary doesn’t have the same offensive weapons as teams like Winnipeg, but they can still be dangerous if the Flyers allow them to hang around.
Projected Lines
Philadelphia Flyers
Forwards:
Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Andrei Kuzmenko – Scott Laughton – Travis Konecny
Owen Tippett – Sean Couturier – Matvei Michkov
Jakob Pelletier – Ryan Poehling – Nicolas Deslauriers
Defense:
Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler – Jamie Drysdale
Egor Zamula – Rasmus Ristolainen
Goalies:
Samuel Ersson
Ivan Fedotov
Calgary Flames
Forwards:
Jonathan Huberdeau – Nazem Kadri – Matt Coronato
Blake Coleman – Mikael Backlund – Joel Farabee
Yegor Sharangovich – Morgan Frost – Martin Popisil
Ryan Lomberg – Kevin Rooney – Connor Zary
Defense:
Joel Hanley – MacKenzie Weegar
Kevin Bahl – Ramsus Andersson
Jake Bean – Brayden Pachal
Goalies:
Dustin Wolf
Dan Vladar
Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen Is Focused On The Present, Unbothered by the Noise
