Gameday 39 Preview: Flyers vs. Golden Knights

As the Philadelphia Flyers near the end of their West Coast road trip, they face one of their toughest challenges yet: a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Playing in Las Vegas is never easy—the Golden Knights boast a deep, balanced roster and an intimidating home-ice atmosphere. With Aleksei Kolosov starting in net and the Flyers riding a wave of confidence from recent performances, it will be a must-watch to see how they handle a formidable opponent.

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Tested in All Areas

The Golden Knights are the standard-bearers for team depth and two-way play, making them a particularly tough opponent. Vegas excels at dictating the pace of play, combining a relentless forecheck with efficient breakouts and sharp puck movement. They’re also masters of capitalizing on mistakes, which means the Flyers can’t afford lapses in focus or discipline.

The Flyers visit a Golden Knights team that is 15-4-0 at home, outscoring opponents 72-47.

Overall, Vegas is 25-9-3, with an NHL-leading .716 points percentage.

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) January 2, 2025

The Flyers’ recent performances on this road trip have showcased an ability to hang with strong opponents, but Vegas presents a whole new level of competition. This game will test Philadelphia’s ability to maintain structure and composure under pressure. While the Flyers have tightened up their defensive play in recent games, they’ll need to ensure clean zone exits, sharp puck management, and quick transitions to counter Vegas’ speed and aggressiveness.

One key area to watch will be the Flyers’ penalty kill. The Golden Knights’ power play is clicking at an above-average rate, and they have no shortage of weapons. Staying out of the box will be crucial, but if penalties happen, the Flyers’ penalty-killers must stay aggressive and disciplined.

Riding the High

While this matchup is daunting, the Flyers should feel buoyed by their recent stretch of games. They’ve found success by playing to their identity: a team-first approach built on relentless effort, unselfish offense, and commitment to detail. Wins against the Ducks and Sharks, coupled with a competitive effort against the Kings, demonstrate that the Flyers are steadily building chemistry and confidence.

This confidence could be a vital intangible against a team like Vegas. The Golden Knights thrive on creating chaos and forcing their opponents into reactive play. If the Flyers can stay proactive—playing with pace, making quick decisions, and sticking to their systems—they’ll give themselves a chance to dictate parts of the game.

Players like Joel Farabee, Noah Cates, and, most recently, Matvei Michkov have been key contributors lately, and their ability to sustain that momentum will be crucial. Michkov, in particular, could be an X-factor in this game. After breaking out of his scoring slump with a strong performance against the Kings, the rookie winger seems to have regained his spark. His creativity and offensive instincts will be essential against a disciplined Vegas defense.

Kolosov Takes Over

Aleksei Kolosov will start in net for the Flyers, marking another opportunity for the rookie goaltender to prove himself against elite competition. Kolosov has been serviceable in his limited NHL starts, displaying quick reflexes and a composed demeanor in high-pressure situations. However, consistency remains a work in progress as he continues to adapt to the NHL’s pace and demands.

Facing the Golden Knights will be a significant test for Kolosov. Vegas generates offense from all four lines and isn’t afraid to crash the net, making life difficult for opposing goaltenders. For Kolosov, this game will be as much about mental resilience as it is about technical execution.

The Flyers’ defense will need to support their young netminder by limiting high-danger chances and clearing rebounds quickly. At the same time, Kolosov will need to be sharp from the outset, as Vegas is known for its fast starts at home. If Kolosov can rise to the occasion, it could provide a huge boost to the Flyers—not just in this game but as they continue to evaluate their goaltending situation in the wake of Sam Ersson’s recent injury.