Gameday 43 Preview: Flyers vs. Ducks

As the Philadelphia Flyers prepare to host the Anaheim Ducks at home, there's no shortage of storylines to keep fans engaged.

From roster changes to emotional undertones surrounding Cutter Gauthier's first time stepping onto Wells Fargo Center ice, this matchup promises to deliver plenty of intrigue.

Cutter Gauthier's Return to Philadelphia

Tonight marks Cutter Gauthier’s first game in Philadelphia since the blockbuster trade that sent him to Anaheim—a move that stirred significant controversy and emotions. Gauthier, once heralded as a cornerstone of the Flyers' future, was traded last January after, according to the Flyers' front office, he informed that he no longer wished to play for the organization and had no interest even discussing a solution with the higher-ups.

Naturally, Flyers fans have not forgiven or forgotten Gauthier's behavior, and have been anxiously awaiting this game to finally be able to unleash their frustrations on the rookie forward, who still has not publicly offered up his side of the story.

Fans will undoubtedly have their eyes (and boos) on Gauthier every time he touches the puck, making this an emotionally charged element of the game.

Sam Ersson Looks to Build Momentum

Sam Ersson will start in net for the Flyers, continuing his role as the true starter the Flyers have slated him to be. After a strong showing in his last outing, Ersson has an opportunity to carry that momentum into a high-stakes game.

While the Flyers have leaned on Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov recently, Ersson’s return to the crease signals confidence from the coaching staff, knowing that Anaheim’s offense will test Ersson’s ability to handle speed and creativity.

For the Flyers, defensive discipline will be critical. Anaheim thrives on creating opportunities off the rush, so the blueliners will need to provide Ersson with as much support as possible, particularly in limiting high-danger chances.

Olle Lycksell Gets His Chance

After weeks of waiting, Olle Lycksell will finally make his season debut for the Flyers. Called up from the AHL weeks ago, Lycksell has been patiently biding his time, practicing with the team but not cracking the lineup until now.

"I don't know what kind of shape I'm in; I haven't played in a while," he admitted. "I'm just probably going to have a simple game to start and then we'll see how it goes."

Lycksell brings an intriguing skill set to the table, combining hockey IQ with a knack for generating offense. His performance with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season has been strong, and the Flyers are hopeful he can translate that success to the NHL level.

"It's just a great group of guys," he said of getting to bond with the Flyers group during the two-week West Coast trip they had to end 2024 and begin 2025. "They've really been taking care of me. I have my fellow Swede Sam [Ersson] sitting over there, so it's always nice when you have some countrymen here. I know what spot we're in now, so it's exciting getting to play."

Lycksell’s addition also brings an injection of energy to the lineup, which could be particularly important in a game that promises to be as emotionally charged as this one. The coaching staff will likely ease him into the game, but Lycksell will undoubtedly be eager to make an impact and prove he belongs in the NHL.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Owen Tippett - Morgan Frost - Travis Konecny

Scott Laughton - Ryan Poehling - Matvei Michkov

Tyson Foerster - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink

Olle Lycksell - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway

Defense:

Cam York - Travis Sanheim

Egor Zamula - Rasmus Ristolainen

Nick Seeler - Jamie Drysdale

Starting Goalie:

Sam Ersson

Anaheim Ducks

Forwards:

Frank Vatrano - Ryan Strome - Sam Colangelo

Cutter Gauthier - Mason McTavish - Robby Fabbri

Isac Lundestrom - Leo Carlsson - Alex Killorn

Nikita Nesterenko - Jansen Harkins - Brett Leason

Defense:

Jackson LaCombe - Radko Gudas

Brian Dumoulin - Jacob Trouba

Pavel Mintyukov - Drew Helleson

Starting Goalie:

John Gibson

Related: Flyers Scratching Big Player Against Ducks

Related: Eric Lindros Voices His Opinion On How The Flyers Handled The Cutter Gauthier Situation

Related: "I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall": The Flyers Organization Reacts to Gauthier-Drysdale Trade