Flyers prepare for a 1 p.m. showdown with the Avalanche, but a key defensive piece is missing. Cam York, the 24‑year‑old defenseman, was sidelined after missing a second straight practice Saturday with an upper‑body injury and has been listed as day‑to‑day.
York’s Injury and the Call‑Up
York’s injury came after the Flyers’ 5‑2 win over the Sabres on Wednesday. The defender has been the second‑most used player on the roster, averaging 23:31 of ice time per game and leading the team’s defensemen with 12 points—one goal and 11 assists. “Just talked to him,” Rick Tocchet said Saturday, “it’s still a day‑to‑day thing.”
With the Flyers on the ice Thursday and Saturday and a day off in between, York has gone three straight days without a practice before the early afternoon game. To fill the gap, the club called up Ty Murchison from the AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley, giving the Flyers an extra defenseman.
The Avalanche’s Dominance
Colorado is riding a 20‑2‑6 record, scoring a league‑high 4.00 goals per game while allowing only 2.18 goals per game. Led by Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, the Avalanche have a 12‑1‑0 record in games decided by three or more goals. “We call it hunt the hash, they like to attack the middle of the ice and they like to draw you to them, and when they do, they hit the weak side,” Tocchet said. “They’re one of the best teams at hitting the weak side. That’s where we’re going to have to be very disciplined in our D‑zone.”
The Flyers have also been focusing on penetrating the middle of the ice. “That’s what we’re trying to do,” Tocchet said. “We’re trying to encourage players to hunt the middle and that’s when the coverage breaks down, and then you make your play from there—whether it’s a kick‑out, whether it’s a shot, whether it’s a weak‑side play.”
Defensive Depth Under Pressure
If York is unavailable, the Flyers’ defensive depth will be tested. Travis Sanheim could see a big day in terms of minutes, while Nick Seeler moved up the lineup Saturday in practice. The third pair, composed of Egor Zamula and Noah Juulsen, was also highlighted. Zamula emphasized readiness: “Like Tocc says, we need everyone to be smart tomorrow. We need to be ready right away in the first 20 minutes. … We expect MacKinnon and those guys flying everywhere.”
The Flyers’ line‑up for the night will include forwards Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Travis Konecny, Nikita Grebenkin, Noah Cates, Bobby Brink, Matvei Michkov, Sean Couturier, Owen Tippett, Nicolas Deslauriers, Rodrigo Abols, and Garnet Hathaway. Defensemen will feature Nick Seeler, Travis Sanheim, Emil Andrae, Jamie Drysdale, Egor Zamula, and Noah Juulsen.
Game Strategy and Expectations
Tocchet expressed confidence that the team would not back off. “I don’t want us backing off, that’s the worst thing,” he said. “You want to attack this team; you’ve just got to be calculated in how you do it. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”
The Avalanche will be playing their third game in four days, all on the road. Colorado’s recent performance—especially their ability to win by large margins—will pose a challenge for Philadelphia, but the Flyers are eager to test their offensive and defensive strategies against a top‑tier opponent.
Key Takeaways
- Cam York’s injury could force the Flyers to rely on Ty Murchison and other depth players.
- Colorado leads the league in goals per game and has a strong record in high‑margin wins.
- The Flyers are focusing on middle‑ice penetration and disciplined defensive coverage.
Closing Thoughts
With the game set for 1 p.m. ET on NBCSP, the Flyers face a formidable test. Whether York returns or not, the team’s depth and strategy will be on display against a league‑leading Avalanche. Fans will be watching to see how Philadelphia adapts to the absence of a key defender and whether the depth call‑up can hold its own against Colorado’s offensive firepower.
