Philadelphia Flyers vs St. Louis Blues Picks and Predictions October 31st 2024

Blues Aim for Redemption in Road Clash Against Flyers

The St. Louis Blues, looking to shake off recent struggles, travel to face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night in a game that pits teams with very different recent experiences. The Flyers are riding high after a rare 2-0 road victory over the Boston Bruins, while the Blues are eager to redeem themselves following an 8-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

Flyers Gaining Momentum and Confidence

After a difficult six-game losing streak, the Flyers have shown signs of improvement, posting a 2-1-0 record in their last three games, including quality wins over the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins. Backup goaltender Samuel Ersson was instrumental in the Bruins victory, making 23 saves for his first shutout of the season. His strong performance has earned praise from Flyers coach John Tortorella, who commended Ersson’s ability to inspire confidence in the team.

“He fights, and the team likes playing in front of him,” Tortorella said, noting the positive effect a reliable goaltender can have on team morale. Ersson’s likely start against St. Louis highlights Philadelphia’s current focus on defensive consistency.

Tyson Foerster, who scored the game-winning goal in Boston, echoed the Flyers’ determination to play tough, grind-it-out hockey. “That gives us some confidence that we can play in these games, and we got a win tonight, which helps,” he said. Despite their recent successes, the Flyers have a tough schedule ahead, with games against top Eastern Conference teams including the Hurricanes, Lightning, and defending champions Florida Panthers following Thursday’s clash with St. Louis.

Blues Searching for Answers After Consecutive Blowouts

In contrast to Philadelphia’s rising optimism, the Blues find themselves in a slump after two lopsided losses. Following a promising 5-1 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs to open their road trip, St. Louis has since been outscored 13-3 in back-to-back defeats against Montreal and Ottawa. Their recent 8-1 loss to Ottawa left Blues coach Drew Bannister visibly frustrated, describing the performance as “self-inflicted” and suggesting the entire team, including the coaching staff, needs to “figure out what the issues are.”

St. Louis captain Brayden Schenn, a former Flyer, attributed the Blues’ poor play to a lack of physicality and competitive intensity. “Just soft in the battles and soft kind of all over the ice,” Schenn remarked, reflecting on the team’s lack of energy. The Blues committed 23 turnovers in Ottawa, a glaring issue that the team needs to address if they hope to reverse their fortunes.

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Defenseman Justin Faulk voiced similar sentiments, calling out the team’s lack of effort: “Our effort, and you can name it, just wasn’t close to what you need to have at this level. You’ve just got to take it head on, know what happened, and you’ve got to move on.”

Key Players and Matchups to Watch

• Samuel Ersson vs. St. Louis Offense: With Philadelphia’s defense bolstered by Ersson’s presence in net, the Flyers will look to keep the Blues’ offense in check. St. Louis has shown inconsistency in scoring, and Ersson’s recent form could challenge their efforts.
• Jordan Binnington’s Expected Start: Following a poor showing by Joel Hofer against Ottawa, Binnington is expected to return to the net for St. Louis. He will need to put up a solid performance to restore confidence for the Blues, who can ill afford another defensive collapse.
• Brayden Schenn’s Physicality: As St. Louis aims to bring a tougher edge to their game, captain Schenn will be pivotal in setting the tone, especially against his former team. Schenn’s grit could inspire a stronger Blues response.

Game Outlook

Thursday’s matchup presents a critical opportunity for both teams. The Flyers aim to build on their recent success with Ersson likely leading the way in net, while the Blues are desperate to recover their form and end their road trip on a positive note. For St. Louis, finding a balance between physical play and defensive discipline will be essential in reversing their recent struggles and avoiding costly turnovers.

Philadelphia’s improving cohesion and recent confidence boost could give them the edge, but St. Louis’s urgency to end their slump should make for a spirited contest.