Gameday 34 Preview: Flyers vs. Blue Jackets

The Philadelphia Flyers will look to rebound from a frustrating stretch of games when they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at the Wells Fargo Center.

While the Flyers have shown flashes of resilience and strong play, their recent results, including a deflating 7-3 loss to the Kings, have left the team hungry for a win—not just for the points, but for a much-needed morale boost.

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Cam York Returns to the Lineup

After being healthy scratched in the Flyers’ loss to the Kings, defenseman Cam York is back in the lineup tonight. The decision to bench York, though not entirely unexpected, sent ripples through the fanbase and the Flyers’ defensive structure alike. York, widely regarded as one of the Flyers’ most promising young players, has faced increased scrutiny this season as he shoulders the responsibility of being a key piece of the team’s blue line.

While head coach John Tortorella clarified that the scratching was nothing deeper than just a result of York not playing his best the last couple of games, the decision undeniably impacted the Flyers’ defensive chemistry against Los Angeles. Without York, the Flyers’ pairings appeared disjointed, leading to breakdowns in coverage that the Kings exploited with ruthless efficiency.

York’s return tonight isn’t just about stabilizing the defense—it’s about how he responds to the challenge. The Flyers will need York’s puck-moving ability and composure to help dictate the pace of play against a Blue Jackets team that thrives on capitalizing off the rush.

Sam Ersson Starts in Net

Sam Ersson is confirmed as the starter tonight, a decision that continues to clarify the Flyers’ current goaltending hierarchy. With Aleksei Kolosov sharing duties and Ivan Fedotov seemingly out of the picture for now, the Ersson-Kolosov tandem appears to be Tortorella’s choice moving forward.

Ersson, whose position as the Flyers' No. 1 goalie has never been in danger, will be tasked with providing stability in net after the Flyers allowed seven goals against the Kings. While the loss couldn’t be pinned solely on goaltending, Ersson will need to be sharp tonight, especially given the Blue Jackets’ tendency to create high-danger chances.

The young goaltender has proven his resilience in the past, bouncing back from tough games with composed performances. For the Flyers, consistency between the pipes is critical—not just to steady the defense, but to instill confidence throughout the lineup.

A Win For Points and Morale

The Flyers have dropped their last two games, but the underlying performances haven’t been as bleak as the results suggest. Against the Red Wings and Kings, they created quality scoring chances, showcased their offensive depth, and demonstrated their ability to compete with playoff-caliber teams. However, inconsistencies, discipline issues, and defensive lapses have allowed games to slip out of their grasp.

Tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets is more than just an opportunity to secure two points—it’s a chance to reset the team’s trajectory. With the holiday break approaching, these next two games are pivotal for the Flyers to reestablish momentum and head into the break with confidence.

The Blue Jackets, while struggling in the standings, are a team capable of exploiting mistakes, making it imperative for the Flyers to play a disciplined, cohesive game. Offensively, the Flyers’ depth scoring has been a bright spot, with players like Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Noah Cates contributing consistently. If they can continue to spread the scoring burden and tighten up defensively, they’ll be well-positioned to turn recent frustrations into a statement win.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny

Joel Farabee - Morgan Frost - Matvei Michkov

Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink

Scott Laughton - Ryan Poehling - Garnet Hathaway

Defense:

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Nick Seeler - Rasmus Ristolainen

Egor Zamula - Jamie Drysdale

Starting Goalie:

Sam Ersson

Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards:

Dmitri Voronkov - Sean Monahan - Kent Johnson

James van Riemsdyk - Adam Fantilli - Kirill Marchenko

Zach Aston-Reese - Cole Sillinger - Mathieu Olivier

James Malatesta - Sean Kuraly - Mikael Pyyhtia

Defense:

Zach Werenski - Damon Severson

Jake Christiansen - Ivan Provorov

Jack Johnson - Jordan Harris

Starting Goalie:

Elvis Merzlikins

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