The Colorado Avalanche (20-2-6) roll into Philadelphia as the NHL’s hottest team, boasting an unprecedented start to the 2025-26 season with just two regulation losses and a league-leading +48 goal differential. They’re fresh off a dramatic overtime victory against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, extending their point streak to 18 of 19 games following a win. The Philadelphia Flyers (15-8-3), sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division, have quietly climbed into contention with a gritty, home-fueled surge, winning four of their last five to improve to 7-3-0 over their past 10 outings. This inter-conference clash at Xfinity Mobile Arena promises fireworks, pitting Colorado’s high-octane offense against Philly’s opportunistic blue-collar style. The Avs aim to solidify their Central Division lead with a second straight road win on the second leg of a back-to-back, while the Flyers look to exploit any fatigue against a familiar foe they’ve historically traded blows with.
Game Details
Puckdrop: 1:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (capacity: 19,500)
Broadcast: NHL Network, ALT (Colorado), NBCSP (Philadelphia), SN, TVAS
This afternoon tilt kicks off a light Sunday slate, with the Flyers entering the third game of a six-game homestand. Expect a charged atmosphere in South Philly, where the Orange and Black have gone 8-3-1 at home this season.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with key absences on defense and in net, which could tilt the matchup toward a more open-ice affair. Colorado’s depth has masked their issues so far, but Philly’s blue line takes a bigger hit without their top-pair stalwarts.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Estimated Return | Notes |
| Colorado Avalanche | Scott Wedgewood | G | Day-to-Day | Back/Upper Body | December 7 | Backup goalie; Mackenzie Blackwood started Saturday and could see back-to-back action if Wedgewood sits. |
| Colorado Avalanche | Gavin Brindley | C | Injured Reserve | Lower Body | December 9 | Nearing return; could join road trip but unlikely for this game. |
| Colorado Avalanche | Logan O’Connor | RW | Injured Reserve | Hip (Surgery) | December 13 | Long-term absence; team has thrived without him offensively. |
| Colorado Avalanche | Jacob MacDonald | D | Injured Reserve | Hip | February 4 | Minimal impact as a depth piece. |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Cam York | D | Day-to-Day (Doubtful) | Upper Body | December 9 | Suffered injury vs. Buffalo on Dec. 3; second on team in ice time (23:31/gm); slight chance to play but practiced with Seeler-Sanheim pair. |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Rasmus Ristolainen | D | Injured Reserve (Non-Roster) | Triceps (Surgery) | December 13 | Season debut delayed; practiced in non-contact jersey Saturday. |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tyson Foerster | RW | Injured Reserve | Upper Body | February 3 | 11 goals in 21 games before injury; major offensive loss. |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Ryan Ellis | D | Injured Reserve | Back | July 1, 2026 | Chronic issue; no timeline for return. |
Impact: York’s potential absence forces Travis Sanheim into 26-30 minutes, exposing Philly’s depth. Colorado’s goaltending carousel continues with Trent Miner (1-0-0, 2.00 GAA) likely starting after Blackwood’s 24 saves Saturday.
Key Player Matchups
This game’s pulse will be dictated by superstar clashes and goaltending duels. Colorado’s firepower meets Philly’s physical checking game—expect heavy forechecking from the Flyers to disrupt the Avs’ transition.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL, C) vs. Travis Sanheim (PHI, D): MacKinnon (14G-24A-38P in 28GP) is on a tear with 10 goals and 15 points in his last nine, including an OT winner Saturday. He’ll feast on Sanheim (23:31 TOI/gm, 11P), especially if York sits—Sanheim’s workload spikes, leaving gaps for MacKinnon’s speed. Edge: MacKinnon.
Cale Makar (COL, D) vs. Owen Tippett (PHI, RW): Makar (9G-25A-34P) quarterback’s Colorado’s power play (15.3% success), but Tippett (9G-9A-18P) thrives on the rush with his shot volume (30 SOG). Philly’s top line will target Makar early. Edge: Even—Tippett’s physicality could wear down the Norris favorite.
Matvei Michkov (PHI, RW) vs. Samuel Girard (COL, D): The rookie sensation (8G-8A-16P) has dazzled with highlight-reel goals; Girard (steady shutdown role) must contain his creativity on the wing. Michkov’s 0% PP shooting luck (despite chances) screams regression. Edge: Michkov if power play clicks.
Goalie Duel: Trent Miner (COL) vs. Dan Vladar (PHI): Miner (2 appearances, 2.00 GAA) gets the nod on tired legs; Vladar (projected starter) has been solid in spot duty but faces Colorado’s 34.2 SOG/gm. Philly’s 82.1% PK could neutralize the Avs’ man-advantage. Edge: Miner—Colorado’s attack overwhelms backups.
Projected Lines (Subject to change):
Avalanche: Lehkonen-MacKinnon-Necas | Dvorak-Mittelstadt-Rantanen | Nichushkin-Carr-Newhook | Zadorov-Makar | Johnson-Toews
Flyers: Konecny-Couts-Tippett | Michkov-Dvorak-Farabee | Poehling-Deslauriers-Lawson | Sanheim-Seeler | Zamula-Brennan
Team Records and Standings
| Team | Record | Points | Goal Diff. | Home/Away | Division Rank |
| Colorado Avalanche | 20-2-6 | 46 | +48 | 11-1-2 Home / 9-1-4 Away | 1st Central |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 15-8-3 | 33 | +12 | 8-3-1 Home / 7-5-2 Away | 4th Metro |
Colorado leads the NHL in wins and goals per game (4.00), while Philly ranks mid-pack offensively (3.08 GF/G) but elite on the penalty kill (82.1%). The Avs’ 86.7% PK is a season-long strength.
Recent Team Forms
Both squads enter hot, but Colorado’s dominance shines through a grueling schedule.
Avalanche Last 5 Games (3-2-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | @ NYR | W 3-2 (OT) | MacKinnon OT GWG; 42 SOG. |
| Dec. 4 | @ NYI | L 3-6 | Defensive lapses; 38 SOG. |
| Dec. 2 | vs. VAN | W 3-1 | Strong PK (1/1); shut down Canucks. |
| Nov. 29 | vs. MTL | W 7-2 | Offensive explosion; 1 PP goal. |
| Nov. 28 | @ MIN | L 2-3 (SO) | Shootout loss; 41 SOG. |
Flyers Last 5 Games (4-1-0):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 3 | vs. BUF | W 5-2 | Konecny, Cates, Brink multi-point; York injured. |
| Dec. 1 | vs. PIT | L 1-5 | Rare home dud; Penguins dominate. |
| Nov. 29 | @ NJD | W 4-3 (SO) | Clutch road win; PP clicks. |
| Nov. 27 | vs. NYI | W 3-2 (SO) | Back-to-back SO heroics. |
| Nov. 25 | @ FLA | W 4-1 | Road upset; Vladar strong in net. |
Colorado’s losses were outliers; Philly’s form is fueled by home cooking (8-3-1).
Series History
These franchises have a storied rivalry dating back to Quebec Nordiques days, with 109 all-time meetings (regular season + playoffs). Philly holds a slight 51-44-14 edge overall (52.0% win rate in reg. season), but Colorado has owned recent tilts: 7-3 in the last 10, including a 2-0 shutout in Denver on Feb. 2, 2025. The Avs are 4-1 in the last five at Philly, outscoring the Flyers 22-14. Playoff history favors Philly (2-0 series wins in 1996-97 and 2003-04), but current form screams Colorado dominance.
Betting Trends
Trends: Avs 8-2 SU in last 10 road games; Flyers 4-1 SU last 5 home. Colorado 7-3 in last 10 H2H. Sharp action on Under due to back-to-back fatigue.
Game Odds
Colorado Avalanche – 155
Philadelphia Flyers 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, December 6, 2025
