5 things: Flyers vs. Wild

John Tortorella's Philadelphia Flyers (1-5-1) return to play on Saturday afternoon when they host John Hynes' Minnesota Wild (5-0-2). Game time at Wells Fargo Center is 1:00 p.m. EDT.

The game will be televised on NBCSP. The radio broadcast will be on 97.5 The Fanatic with a 24-hour online simulcast on Flyers Radio.

This is the first of two meetings this season between the Flyers and Wild. The teams will compete again on December 14th in St. Paul.

The Flyers come into this game looking to end a six-game winning streak (0-5-1). On Wednesday, the Flyers lost 6-3 on the road against the Washington Capitals. The Wild, who are still undefeated in regular time, achieved a 4-2 away win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Here are five things to see in Saturday's matinee:

1. Bring traffic online

The Flyers snapped a 4-0 deficit against Washington on Wednesday. Philly then collected three goals to get back to 4-3 before the Caps scored two empty goals to seal the 6-3 final.

It's important for the Flyers to continue to build on the positive aspects of Wednesday's game. Yes, the Caps put their foot down with a huge lead and almost paid the price. But the Flyers did a good job of putting the issue back in the game.

First of all, the Flyers finally started putting pucks AND bodies in the net on a consistent basis. Compare and compare three pieces to see the difference.

In the first period, on their first power play, Flyers center Morgan Frost sent a wrist shot from center into the net. With no one guarding the goalie or able to direct the puck, it was an easy save.

In the second period, Owen Tippett's blind shot from a weak distance found the net. Why? Sean Couturier “distracted the goalie’s eyes” with an effective screen.

In the third period, a power play handball shot by Matvei Michkov from near where Frost scored in the first period converted into a goal. Why? Firstly, it was a fraudulent publication by Michkov. But in all likelihood it wouldn't have been a goal if Flyers captain Couturier hadn't thrown yet another screen.

2. Set a positive tone early on

The Flyers remain a somewhat fragile team at the moment after their current stretch of four straight regular season losses. There were some potential building blocks in the second half of Wednesday's game.

For the Flyers, a strong first third against the Wild is a must: take the lead at halftime or even. Then take the next step in the last 40 minutes. Keep things simple but persistent.

3. Don't rely too much on special teams

It's no secret that the Flyers have struggled to maintain balance in their five-on-five play through the first seven games of the season.

Defensively, there were periods of the game where the Flyers appeared to be on the right track, but subsequent mishaps or lapses in execution or discipline proved fatal during the winning streak. Offensively, finding cohesion and puck possession as five-man units is still a work in progress.

The Flyers' five-on-five deficiencies obscured two positives: Both the penalty kill (26-for-29, 89.7 percent) and the power play (7-for-29, 24.1 percent) were good enough to win games for the Flyers team if the five-on-five play has been even average so far.

4. Next man up mentality

Cam York was struck late in Wednesday's game in Washington. He did not practice on Friday and his availability this weekend remains uncertain. The Flyers strolled around defensive pairings at practice, trying different combinations.

Travis Konecny ​​​​also did not practice on Friday. Officially it is everyday life. Bobby Brink, who was cut last game, took Konecny's place in practice Friday.

Regardless of who is or isn't available against the Wild, the Minnesota club will feel no sympathy. The Flyers need to be ready to compete against a team that plays strong hockey early this season.

5. Between the pipes: Ersson vs. Gustavsson

Compatriots Samuel Ersson and Filip Gustavsson know each other very well. They shared the Team Sweden net at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and both played against each other in the American Hockey League.

Ersson has played better than his stats suggest so far this season (1-2-1, 3.22 GAA, .886 SV%). Meanwhile, Gustavsson won NHL Third Star of the Week last week and is off to a red-hot start (4-0-1, 1.40 GAA, .952 SV%).