Flyers Turn to Ersson in Net as Grebenkin Steps Into Bigger Role vs. Sabres
The Philadelphia Flyers are back on home ice tonight, and they’re making a couple of notable lineup moves ahead of their matchup with the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center, and all eyes will be on the crease - and a new-look forward line.
Ersson Gets the Start in Goal
Samuel Ersson will get the nod between the pipes for Philadelphia tonight, continuing the goalie rotation that’s defined the Flyers’ approach this season. He and Dan Vladar have been splitting time fairly evenly, with Vladar carrying the “starter” label but Ersson seeing a healthy share of the workload. It’s a practical setup - one that keeps both goalies fresh while allowing head coach John Tortorella to ride the hot hand when needed.
Ersson enters the game with a 4-2-2 record, a 3.09 goals-against average, and a .859 save percentage. The numbers don’t leap off the page, but they don’t tell the full story either.
Ersson has delivered some timely saves and shown flashes of strong positional play. He’ll need to be sharp tonight against a Sabres team that can generate chances off the rush.
On the other side, Buffalo has not confirmed its starting goaltender, but Colten Ellis is expected to be in net.
Grebenkin Moves Up the Lineup
With Tyson Foerster sidelined due to injury, the Flyers are shaking things up in the forward group. Nikita Grebenkin has been bumped up into a top-nine role and will skate alongside Noah Cates and Bobby Brink. That trio will get their first test together tonight, and it’s a big opportunity for Grebenkin to show what he can do with increased minutes and more offensive responsibility.
This isn’t just a plug-and-play situation. Grebenkin brings a different look to that line - he’s got a creative spark and isn’t afraid to take chances in the offensive zone. If he can build chemistry with Cates and Brink, there’s real potential for that unit to become a sneaky-effective piece of the Flyers’ middle six.
What to Watch Tonight
The Flyers have been finding ways to stay competitive in a tough Metropolitan Division, and games like this - at home, against a young Sabres squad - are the kind they need to capitalize on. The goaltending tandem has been a focal point all season, and with Ersson getting the start, it’s another chance for him to stake his claim for more ice time.
Meanwhile, Grebenkin’s promotion is more than just a lineup necessity - it’s a test. Can he handle the pace and pressure of a more prominent role?
Can he contribute on the scoresheet? If he rises to the occasion, it could open the door for more consistent minutes moving forward, even when the lineup gets healthier.
Philadelphia’s depth is being tested, and tonight’s game offers a glimpse into how they plan to manage it - with a little bit of rotation, a little bit of opportunity, and a whole lot of urgency.