Drysdale has missed the last two games for the Flyers and will be a game-time decision against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. Drysdale has been immediately productive since joining the Flyers, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in two games.
The Flyers, riding a four-game winning streak, will return to Ersson between the pipes after giving him the night off in their last outing. Ersson is coming off a marvellous performance in his last start, a 35-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets last week. After a rocky start to the season, Ersson has been a driving force in helping the Flyers stay in playoff contention, posting a gaudy .941 SV% in his last eight games (5-2-1). The Flyers are +126 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars club that has outscored their opposition 8-2 over their last two games (2-0-0).
The Flames have recalled Dustin Wolf as Jacob Markstrom is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but they will turn to Vladar on Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames are -148 home favourites against a Coyotes club they defeated 6-2 less than a week away with Markstrom between the pipes. Vladar will make his first start since January 7th, a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks when he allowed four goals on 20 shots (.800 SV%).
Cates will make his return from a 22-game absence due to a foot injury, playing his first game since November 25th. Before his injury, Cates had four-points (1G / 3A) in 21 games, averaging 14:25 time-on-ice.
Brink will be a healthy scratch on Friday, exiting the lineup for the first time in over a month, allowing Nicolas Deslauries to draw back into the lineup. Brink has been held off the scoresheet in five straight games and has seen his ice-time dip to 12:07 after averaging 14:44 and scoring seven points (3G / 4A) in his previous 10.
Deslauries was a scratch in the last game after playing in three straight games for the Flyers but will return to the lineup on Friday. In his last outing, he played 7:43 time-on-ice, recorded three hits, and two shots on goal while playing on a line with Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling.
It's another tough blow in what's been a frustrating season for Zegras, as this most recent injury puts him on track to return in late February at the earliest. He previously missed almost six weeks with a lower-body injury he suffered on November 7th, and endured a slow start to his season prior to that. He has just four goals and three assists in 20 games on the year.
Juulsen stepped in on Tuesday for Ian Cole, who has a healthy scratch for maintenance reasons but will return to the lineup on Thursday. Juulsen played 14:43 time-on-ice, had a -1 plus/minus, and one hit.
Zegras played only 2:05 time-on-ice before suffering a lower-body injury and exiting the game in the first period. The talented Zegras has been limited to only 20 games this season, scoring seven points (4G / 3A) in a disappointing season riddled with injuries. Zegras joins Leo Carlsson (lower-body) on the sidelines, a major blow for an Anaheim Ducks team that already ranks fourth-worst in the league offensively (2.53 GF / GP).
Deslauries played in each of the last three games for the Flyers but will be a healthy scratch on Monday. In his last outing, he played 7:43 time-on-ice, recorded three hits, and two shots on goal while playing on a line with Garnet Hathaway and Ryan Poehling.
After a very busy December for Ersson, due in part to Carter Hart being out of the lineup because of an illness, Ersson will make only his second January start on Wednesday. Despite being winless in his last two starts, Ersson has been terrific lately for the Flyers, boasting a stellar .926 SV% in 12 games (8-2-2) since mid-November. The Flyers, who have lost five of their last six (1-3-2), have a favourable matchup as -175 home favourites against a Montreal Canadiens club that has scored three or fewer goals in five of their last six games (2-4-0).
Juulsen was a healthy scratch for the Canucks first game of their back-to-back Monday but will draw back into their lineup Tuesday vs. New York. The 26-year-old will replace Ian Cole (maintenance) and has yet to score in 26 games in 2023-24, but has two assists, 12 PIMs and 11 SOG.
Dysdale was traded for Cutter Gauthier is a surprise deal Monday and is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal as he partners with Travis Sanheim. The 21-year-old offensive defensemen heads to Philly after collecting five points (1G/4A) in 10 games after missing most of the early season due to a tornn labrum injury.
It's a shocking move considering Anaheim selected Drysdale sixth overall just three and a half years ago in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Drysdale had played ten games with the Ducks this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists and was recently promoted to the team's top power-play unit. In exchange, the Ducks acquire the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier.
Juulsen has been a regular in the lineup for the Canucks since mid-November but will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the New York Rangers. In 28 games this season, Juulsen has two point (0G / 2A), 66 hits, and 45 blocks.
