Gameday 38 Preview: Flyers vs. Sharks

The Philadelphia Flyers will close out 2024 with a clash against the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center in San Jose.

After a disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 28, the Flyers will be on the hunt to close out their year with a win, especially against the struggling Sharks. While, despite some results, the Flyers' play has been promising, they'll still need to be on their toes against San Jose to prevent any trap game mishaps.

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A Calder Trophy Showdown

One of the biggest storylines heading into this matchup is the showdown between Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini, two of the NHL’s most exciting rookies and frontrunners for the Calder Trophy.

Michkov, the Flyers’ 20-year-old phenom, has been a revelation this season. With a league-leading rookie points total (29), he’s demonstrated elite offensive instincts, dazzling creativity, and an uncanny ability to rise to the moment. Michkov broke out of a brief scoring slump earlier this week against the Kings with a goal and an assist, reminding everyone why he’s considered the crown jewel of Philadelphia’s rebuild.

Celebrini, on the other hand, has been a beacon of hope for a struggling Sharks franchise. The first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini has lived up to the hype, combining raw talent with maturity beyond his years. Despite San Jose’s poor record, Celebrini has consistently stood out, currently being second in scoring with his team and showing flashes of brilliance that suggest he’ll be a superstar for years to come.

This game marks another chapter in what many believe will be a long-running rivalry between the two young stars. Fans can expect both Michkov and Celebrini to bring their best as they aim to outshine one another on a national stage.

The Flyers' Offense: Rolling and Relentless

If there’s one area where the Flyers have truly thrived recently, it’s on offense. Over their last few games, Philadelphia has been relentless in the offensive zone, with contributions coming from across the lineup. Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and Joel Farabee look to have found their scoring touch, Noah Cates continues to be a reliable presence, and Michkov’s creative spark remains a constant threat.

The Flyers’ success on offense has been fueled by their willingness to take risks, move the puck creatively, and generate chances from unexpected areas. They’ve also shown an impressive level of unselfishness, often prioritizing the best scoring opportunity over individual accolades.

However, the Sharks, despite their seven-game losing streak, will be eager to disrupt this momentum. The Flyers have run into problems of getting goalied time and time again this season, not to mention that they simply cannot be lackadaisical against this team. When they get complacent after taking a lead is when they tend to let that lead slip, and having to come from behind against a struggling team is not how they'll be wanting to spend New Year's Eve.

Defensive Diligence: Learning From Mistakes

While the Flyers’ offensive surge has been a highlight, their defensive play remains a work in progress. Small mistakes—such as turnovers, missed clearances, and lapses in coverage—have cost them critical goals in recent games. Against a team like the Sharks, who are desperate for a win, such errors could prove costly if not addressed.

The good news for Philadelphia is that San Jose enters this game on a seven-game losing streak, making them a less formidable opponent on paper. However, the Sharks still possess dangerous weapons like Celebrini and Tyler Toffoli, who can capitalize on defensive lapses.

This game presents an opportunity for the Flyers’ defense to reset and tighten up. Players like Travis Sanheim and Cam York will need to lead the charge in ensuring clean zone exits and strong net-front coverage, while goaltender Sam Ersson (if he gets the start) will look to build on his recent confidence-boosting performances.

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