The Philadelphia Flyers travel to Denver to face the Colorado Avalanche in an interconference matchup on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Flyers, sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division, aim to snap a three-game skid and improve their road record against Western Conference teams, while the Avalanche, leading the Central Division and boasting one of the league’s best home records, look to rebound from a surprising shootout loss and maintain their dominance as Stanley Cup favorites. This is the second meeting of the season, with Colorado winning the first 3-2 on the road in Philadelphia on December 7, 2025.
Venue Location
Ball Arena
Denver, CO
Capacity: 18,007
(Opened in 1999 and formerly known as Pepsi Center, this state-of-the-art venue is home to the Avalanche and Nuggets, renowned for its high-altitude advantage—5,280 feet above sea level—which can fatigue visiting teams, and its passionate fans creating a playoff-like atmosphere.)
Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT)
Broadcast: ESPN+, BSSUN (Flyers local), Altitude (Avalanche local)
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic (Philadelphia), Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Denver)
Injury Report
Both teams are managing absences, with Colorado relatively healthy but monitoring depth players, while Philadelphia deals with key goaltending and forward issues.
Philadelphia Flyers:
Rasmus Ristolainen (D): Out (Upper-body injury; IR, expected return mid-February)
Rodrigo Abols (C): Out (Undisclosed; IR, expected return March 24)
Dan Vladar (G): Out (Undisclosed; IR, expected return late January)
Samuel Ersson is expected to start in goal. The Flyers will lean on Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier for added production.
Colorado Avalanche:
Four players on the injury report (specific names not detailed in latest updates, but includes minor forward and defense ailments; all day-to-day)
No major stars out; Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are fully available.
Mackenzie Blackwood is probable to start in net, providing stability with his .918 SV% this season.
Key Player Matchups
This game pits Philadelphia’s gritty forecheck against Colorado’s high-octane offense, with altitude potentially playing a factor in late-game stamina.
Travis Konecny (PHI) vs. Cale Makar (COL): A speed and skill battle. Konecny (22G, 28A) leads the Flyers in points with his tenacious play, but Makar (12G, 40A) is a Norris Trophy frontrunner, dominating from the blue line with elite puck-moving and defense.
Matvei Michkov (PHI) vs. Nathan MacKinnon (COL): Rookie sensation vs. MVP candidate. Michkov (18G, 25A) brings flair and scoring, facing MacKinnon (30G, 50A), who leads the league in points and thrives in high-pace games.
Owen Tippett (PHI) vs. Devon Toews (COL): Wing vs. defenseman. Tippett (20G) uses his shot speed (over 100 mph) to generate chances, but Toews’ steady play and shutdown ability could neutralize him.
Samuel Ersson (PHI) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (COL): Goalie duel. Ersson (.905 SV%) needs to stand tall against Colorado’s 34.88 shots per game (3rd in NHL), while Blackwood (.918 SV%) anchors the Avs’ top-10 defense.
Other notes: Colorado’s power play (24.0%, 10th) exploits Philadelphia’s penalty kill (78.4%, 20th). The Flyers’ physicality (top-10 in hits) could disrupt the Avs’ rhythm.
Team Rankiings
| Category | Flyers Rank (League) | Avalanche Rank (League) |
| Goals Per Game | 3.00 (18th) | 3.98 (2nd) |
| Goals Against Per Game | 3.16 (20th) | 2.38 (3rd) |
| Power Play % | 22.0% (14th) | 24.0% (10th) |
| Penalty Kill % | 80.5% (16th) | 82.4% (11th) |
| Shots Per Game | 29.5 (17th) | 34.88 (3rd) |
| Faceoff % | 50.8% (12th) | 51.2% (10th) |
Recent Team Forms
Philadelphia is slumping, while Colorado remains elite despite a rare setback.
Philadelphia Flyers (Last 10 Games: 3-5-2)
The Flyers have lost five of their last eight, outscored 37-18 in that span. Recent games include a 5-4 OT loss to Utah (Jan. 21) and a 4-3 win over Detroit (Jan. 18), averaging 2.8 GPG but allowing 3.7.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | @ UTA | L (OT) | 4-5 | Konecny: 2G |
| Jan. 19 | vs. BUF | L | 2-3 | Michkov: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 18 | vs. DET | W | 4-3 | Tippett: 2G |
| Jan. 16 | @ WSH | L | 1-3 | Ersson: 28 saves |
| Jan. 14 | vs. PIT | W (SO) | 3-2 | Konecny: GWG |
| Jan. 11 | @ NYR | L | 2-4 | Michkov: 2A |
| Jan. 9 | vs. NYI | W | 5-2 | Tippett: 1G, 2A |
| Jan. 7 | @ NJD | L (OT) | 3-4 | Konecny: 2G |
| Jan. 5 | vs. BOS | L | 1-4 | Ersson: 30 saves |
| Jan. 3 | @ PHI (error; @ OTT) | W | 4-2 | Michkov: 2G |
Colorado Avalanche (Last 10 Games: 8-1-1)
The Avalanche have won eight of their last 10, outscoring opponents 42-24. Highlights include a 6-2 win over Boston (Jan. 20) and a 2-1 SO loss to Anaheim (Jan. 21), with 128 shots in their last three games.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. ANA | L (SO) | 1-2 | MacKinnon: 1G |
| Jan. 20 | vs. BOS | W | 6-2 | Rantanen: 2G, 1A |
| Jan. 18 | @ CHI | W | 5-3 | Makar: 1G, 2A |
| Jan. 16 | vs. VGK | W | 4-2 | MacKinnon: 3A |
| Jan. 14 | @ ARI | W (OT) | 3-2 | Rantanen: GWG |
| Jan. 11 | vs. SJS | W | 7-1 | MacKinnon: 2G, 2A |
| Jan. 9 | @ LAK | W | 4-3 | Makar: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 7 | vs. VAN | W | 5-2 | Rantanen: 2G |
| Jan. 5 | @ SEA | L | 2-3 | Blackwood: 32 saves |
| Jan. 3 | vs. EDM | W | 4-1 | MacKinnon: 1G, 2A |
Series History
Colorado leads the all-time series 45-40-8 in 93 regular-season meetings. The Avalanche have won 5 of the last 6, though Philadelphia won the most recent in December 2025 (3-2). Trends: The under has hit in 4 of the last 5 games, averaging 5.6 total goals.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Puck Line Covered? |
| Dec. 7, 2025 | Philadelphia | COL Win | 3-2 | PHI +1.5 |
| Mar. 10, 2025 | Colorado | COL Win | 4-2 | COL -1.5 |
| Nov. 16, 2024 | Philadelphia | COL Win | 5-3 | COL -1.5 |
| Mar. 5, 2024 | Colorado | COL Win | 4-3 (OT) | PHI +1.5 |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | Philadelphia | PHI Win | 4-2 | PHI +1.5 |
Betting Trends
Puck Line (ATS): Flyers 24-25 (49% cover rate); Avalanche 30-18 (62.5% cover rate). Philadelphia is 3-7 ATS in last 10, Colorado 7-3 ATS. Over/Under (O/U): Flyers games hit over 25-24 (51%); Avalanche 28-20 (58%). Last 10 Avalanche games average 6.8 total goals. Moneyline (ML): Avalanche 30-18 as favorites (62.5% win rate); Flyers 10-20 as underdogs. Colorado is 18-6 straight-up at home. Recent Trends: Flyers 1-6 SU on road last 7; 4-6 ATS vs. West. Avalanche 8-2 SU last 10; over in 7 of last 10 home games.
Colorado’s elite home record (18-2-4) and 8-1-1 last 10 give them a 71% win probability. Philadelphia’s road struggles (11-9-5) and recent slump make this a mismatch. The Avalanche cover 62.5% of puck lines and win by 2+ in six of last eight home games vs. sub-.500 teams. Flyers are 3-7 ATS recently; value on Colorado. Colorado’s offense (3.98 GPG) pushes pace; last five meetings averaged 7.2 goals. Flyers’ poor defense (3.16 GA/G) allows overs.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers 6.5
Colorado Avalanche – 290
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
