Ersson will start the third consecutive game on Saturday as Carter Hart remains out of the lineup due to an illness. Ersson has played well lately, winning five of his last six games (5-0-1) and sporting an impressive .917 SV%. Ersson and the Flyers will match up against the struggling Detroit Red Wings, who have battled a myriad of injuries lately and have lost four of their last five outings (1-3-1).
Vladar will be back between the pipes for Calgary on Thursday after conceding the start in each of the last two games to rookie Dustin Wolf. Vladar was lit up by the Avalanche his last time out, surrendering six goals on 38 shots enroute to a 6-5 defeat. He has struggled to take advantage of the extra playing time afforded to him as a result of Jacob Markstrom's injury, registering a woeful .876 SV% and a 3.76 GAA on the season. Vladar and the Flames find themselves as +125 underdogs in Minnesota on Thursday.
Zamula will take a seat in favour of Marc Staal on Thursday. The young defenseman has one goal and three assists in 21 games with the Flyers this season.
Zamula has dressed in the Flyers last three games but will head to the press box Thursday vs. Washington as Marc Staal steps back into Philadelphia's lineup. The 23-year-old defender will get the night off but has been having an impressive season as he's set career highs in games played (21), goals (1), PIMs (12) and SOG (19) already while having a +9 plus/minus.
Ersson draws his second-straight start for the first time this season after Carter Hart (illness) was announced out Thursday. The 24-year-old Flyers backup has fought the puck most nights when between the crease this season, with his 5-3-2 record, 2.80 GAA and .883 SV%. He will host the Washington Capitals Thursday, who have won their last two games but are struggling offensively as they are 29th in the NHL in shots per game (27.9) and 30th in goals (2.48).
Despite an unflattering .885 SV% to go with a 2.78 GAA, Ersson has won four straight games, stringing together the best play of his career at the NHL level. Ersson has only allowed eight total goals on 117 shots (.932 SV%) and recorded a shutout during his four-game winning streak, a significant uptick in play after starting the season with a .830 SV% in his first five outings (1-3-1). The Flyers have won four straight but are +126 road underdogs against a Nashville Predators team that has won four of their last five (4-1-0).
Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).
Vladar was relieved by Dustin Wolf in the second period in his last start after allowing three goals on 16 shots (.813 SV%) and will likely return to the crease on Monday in Colorado against the Avalanche. As a whole, Vladar has been inconsistent this season, sporting an ugly 3.45 GAA and .877 SV% through eight games (4-3-1). In addition, he only has two quality starts (.250 QS%) and has been difficult to rely upon this season. The Flames are +155 road underdogs against an Avalanche team that has lost five of their last six (1-3-2).
Zegras has not played since November 7th but could return to the lineup for the Ducks on their upcoming four-game road trip. Zegras struggled to start the season but was presumably playing through his current injury, scoring only two points (1G / 1A) in 12 games. Expect Zegras to get top offensive deployment immediately when he returns to the lineup.
Drysdale has not played since October 15th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup at some point during the Ducks' upcoming four-game road trip. Drysdale has struggled to stay healthy during his young NHL career, but the 21-year-old has 42 points (7G / 35A) in 115 career games and has the offensive pedigree that could make him a staple on the powerplay for the Ducks.
Jordan Oesterle will be a healthy scratch on Thursday, allowing Gilbert to re-enter the lineup for the Flames on Thursday. The left-handed defenseman has played 15 games with the Flames this season, scoring two points (0G / 2A), averaging 12:48 time-on-ice.
Zamula will draw back into the Flyers' lineup for the first time since November 30th, as Marc Staal will be a healthy scratch. Zamula has four points (1G / 3A) in 18 games, a +10 plus/minus, and is averaging 15:18 time-on-ice. He is expected to skate alongside Rasmus Ristolainen on the third defensive pair.
Cates has not played since November 25th due to a broken foot and was placed on the Injured Reserve Tuesday as the Flyers recalled Olle Lyksell. The 24-year-old Cates had gotten off to a slow start in 2023-24 with only a goal, three assists, 19 SOG, and a -3 plus/minus in 21 games prior to his injury.
Dennis Gilbert will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Ilya Solovyov to draw back into the lineup. In his most recent game, Gilbert played 11:31 time-on-ice, registered two hits, and suffered a -2 plus/minus rating in a 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
With Jacob Markstrom out week-to-week with a fractured finger, Vladar will assume the role of starting goaltender on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The Flames have also recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL and will presumably have the two netminders battle it out for starts while Markstrom is unable to play. Vladar has been inconsistent this season but is coming off his strongest performance to date, a 27-save (.964 SV%) 2-1 overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Flames are slight +102 home underdogs against a Wild team that won three straight since their coaching change, outscoring their opposition 13-3.
With Jacob Markstrom out week-to-week with a fractured finger, Vladar will assume the role of starting goaltender on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The Flames have also recalled Dustin Wolf from the Calgary Wranglers of the AHL and will presumably have the two netminders battle it out for starts while Markstrom is unable to play. Vladar has been inconsistent this season but is coming off his strongest performance to date, a 27-save (.964 SV%) 2-1 overtime victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. The Flames are slight +102 home underdogs against a Wild team that won three straight since their coaching change, outscoring their opposition 13-3.
