The Philadelphia Flyers suffered their third consecutive shutout loss, falling 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena.
Despite a strong start and a determined effort, the Flyers simply couldn’t crack Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, who was rock-solid throughout the night.
With only three games remaining before the 4 Nations break, the team will be looking to find solutions quickly and end this rough stretch on a positive note.
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A Third Straight Shutout Stings
There’s no sugarcoating it: three straight games without a goal is a tough pill to swallow. The Flyers entered the matchup determined to end their scoring drought but ran into a hot goaltender in Mackenzie Blackwood, who made 24 saves to hand Philadelphia another frustrating loss.
To their credit, the Flyers looked sharp in the first period, generating quality chances and playing with speed and confidence. Players like Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster created dangerous looks early on, but they couldn’t find the back of the net. As the game wore on, Colorado tightened up defensively and limited the Flyers’ ability to penetrate the slot.
“We’re struggling scoring,” head John Tortorella candidly told reporters after the game. “There won’t be any frustration. We’ll go back to work tomorrow…We had some chances tonight. We just haven’t put the puck in the net.”
Tortorella also clarified that the absence of Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, who were suddenly traded to the Calgary Flames on Thursday, did not affect the team’s performance against Colorado.
Sam Ersson Not to Blame
Sam Ersson delivered another solid performance in net, making 30 saves and keeping the Flyers in the game for as long as he could. While the final scoreline might suggest otherwise, Ersson was not to blame for the loss. In fact, he made several key stops to prevent the Avalanche from running away with the game.
“I think my game is in a pretty good spot right now,” Ersson told media postgame. “Obviously, they’re a high-volume shot, so it’s kind of nice to play against them to put a lot of pucks to the net.”
The absence of Rasmus Ristolainen in the third period didn’t help matters. The veteran defenseman left the game in the second period for unknown reasons, though it is likely injury-related. Without Ristolainen’s physical presence and defensive stability, the Flyers’ blue line was left that much more vulnerable against Colorado’s relentless attack.
Can confirm that Ristolainen’s absence in the third period is NOT trade related. He was sore before the game, might be related to that. But no trade imminent.
— Charlie O’Connor (@charlieo_conn) February 2, 2025
Tortorella will need to adjust if Ristolainen is sidelined for any length of time. The Flyers have leaned heavily on their top defensemen, which includes Ristolainen, but they’ll need everyone to consistently stay on their A-game if injuries continue to mount.
Needing a Shift in Momentum
The Flyers are in a tough stretch, but there is still time to course-correct before the 4-Nations break. With three games remaining, including matchups against the division rival Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, the team has an opportunity to build some momentum and head into the break on a high note.
To do that, the Flyers must find a way to generate offense. The solution could lie in simplifying their approach, getting more traffic in front of the net, or leaning on their wealth of offensively-minded playmakers on the back end. Regardless, this slump will no doubt light a fire under the forwards.
On the defensive side, staying healthy will be crucial. The potential loss of Ristolainen is concerning, but the Flyers have shown resilience in the face of adversity before. Strong goaltending from Ersson and Ivan Fedotov can help stabilize the team as they navigate this difficult stretch.
While the recent losses have been disheartening, the Flyers have an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and show the resilience that has defined their season so far. The 4-Nations break offers a chance for rest and recovery, but first, the Flyers will need to find their way back to winning hockey.
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