Philadelphia Flyers vs Detroit Red Wings Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Red Wings and Flyers Look to Build Momentum in Pennsylvania Showdown

After snapping losing streaks with hard-fought wins earlier this week, the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers are set to clash Thursday night in Pennsylvania. Both teams hope to carry their newfound energy into what promises to be a competitive matchup.

Detroit Snaps Skid in Thrilling Comeback

The Red Wings ended a five-game losing streak with a dramatic 6-5 shootout victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. Trailing 5-3 with less than 10 minutes left in regulation, Detroit mounted a comeback, tying the game before prevailing in the shootout.

“It was a massive win for us,” said captain Dylan Larkin, who notched two assists and scored the decisive shootout goal. “It was good for our hockey team to score some goals, to be down and come back and win like that.”

Andrew Copp contributed two goals, while Lucas Raymond added one in regulation and another in the shootout. The spotlight, however, belonged to goaltender Sebastian Cossa, who stepped in after Ville Husso was pulled and earned the win in his NHL debut.

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Detroit has faced relentless pressure in recent weeks, with each of their last 11 games decided by two goals or fewer. Their five-game skid included several heartbreaking one-goal losses, two of which came in overtime.

“We needed one to go our way,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “A little sloppy tonight, but we produced some offense. Give a lot of credit to the guys (for hanging) in there.”

Flyers Rebound with Solid Effort

The Flyers, like the Red Wings, snapped their own losing streak with a much-needed win, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 on Tuesday. Travis Konecny led the charge with two goals, while Owen Tippett extended his hot streak, scoring for the fifth consecutive game.

“We needed that win,” Konecny said. “We’ve been going in the wrong direction for a few games, so it was good to turn it around.”

The victory was a morale booster for Philadelphia, who had dropped three straight games prior. The team has consistently been involved in tight contests, with their last nine games decided by two goals or fewer.

“I felt it was an important game for us to get back to playing with energy,” said coach John Tortorella, emphasizing the need for renewed focus and intensity.

Playoff Droughts Loom Over Both Teams

Both teams share a history of recent playoff struggles. The Red Wings have missed the postseason for eight consecutive years and face an uphill climb to end that streak in 2025. The Flyers, meanwhile, are looking to break a four-year playoff drought, with a more realistic chance of doing so this season.

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Despite these long-term goals, Flyers forward Owen Tippett stressed the importance of staying grounded. “I think it’s still a little early to look at standings and movement and stuff,” Tippett said. “Obviously, you know when the big games are, when you play in your conference and division. Those are the points that matter coming down to the end.”

First of Three Meetings This Season

Thursday’s game marks the first of three matchups between these two teams this season. They’ll meet again in Detroit next week before facing off once more in Philadelphia on Jan. 21. With both teams eager to build on their recent successes, this matchup will likely set the tone for the series.

The Red Wings aim to maintain their offensive momentum, while the Flyers look to continue playing with energy and discipline. With both squads accustomed to tight games, fans can expect a hard-fought battle in Pennsylvania.