The Philadelphia Flyers, holding strong in the Metropolitan Division playoff race, head to the Windy City to face a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team that’s mired in a five-game losing streak and dealing with significant injuries to key players like Connor Bedard. Philly’s balanced attack and solid goaltending could exploit Chicago’s defensive vulnerabilities, but the Blackhawks’ home ice at United Center might provide a spark in this pre-Christmas divisional matchup. Expect a game focused on special teams and rebounding, with the Flyers favored to extend their recent momentum. Below is a detailed breakdown.
Venue Location
United Center, Chicago, Illinois. This 20,917-capacity arena has been the Blackhawks’ home since 1994 and is known for its passionate fans and historic banners, though crowd energy may be subdued amid Chicago’s rebuild.
Puckdrop is set for 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. CT local time). The game will be broadcast nationally on TNT, truTV, and HBO MAX, with streaming available via ESPN+ and regional options.
Injury Report
Chicago is severely hampered by absences to top offensive talents, while Philadelphia has minimal issues but is missing a key winger.
Latest updates as of morning game day:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Tyson Foerster | RW | Out | Arm (injured reserve; timeline TBD) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Connor Bedard | C | Out | Upper body/shoulder (injured reserve; expected return early January) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Nick Foligno | LW | Out | Hand (injured reserve; expected return December 23 or later) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Frank Nazar | C | Out | Facial/upper body (expected out 4 weeks; injured reserve) |
The Blackhawks’ offense drops significantly without Bedard (team-leading points) and Nazar, forcing reliance on veterans like Teuvo Teravainen. Flyers’ depth should hold, with Sam Ersson likely starting in net.
Player Matchups
Without Bedard, Chicago’s attack is blunted, shifting focus to defensive battles and secondary scoring. Key matchups to watch:
Travis Konecny (PHI) vs. Seth Jones (CHI): Konecny (team-leading 0.89 PPG, 31 points) brings speed and finishing; Jones, Chicago’s top defenseman, must use his size and shot-blocking to contain Philly’s top line, but Konecny’s agility could create odd-man rushes.
Christian Dvorak (PHI) vs. Andre Burakovsky (CHI): Dvorak (0.71 PPG, 24 points) anchors Philly’s secondary scoring with faceoff wins; Burakovsky (team-high assists for CHI) will look to exploit transitions, but Dvorak’s two-way play gives the edge.
Matvei Michkov (PHI) vs. Philipp Kurashev (CHI): Michkov’s rookie flair (emerging sniper) faces Kurashev’s playmaking; this wing duel could spark power-play goals, with Michkov potentially overwhelming Chicago’s depleted depth.
Goaltending: Sam Ersson (PHI) vs. Petr Mrazek/Arvid Soderblom (CHI): Ersson (.905 SV%) has been reliable; Chicago’s tandem (.890 combined) struggles without Bedard generating shots, tilting toward Philly if they control the slot.
Bench Battle: Owen Tippett/Garnet Hathaway (PHI) vs. Ilya Mikheyev/Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI): Philly’s energy lines provide physicality; Chicago’s veterans need to step up, but injuries limit options.
Overall, Philly’s depth and health advantage should dominate possession.
Recent Team Forms
Philly is surging with a recent win snapping a mini-skid, while Chicago is in freefall amid injuries.
Philadelphia Flyers (Last 10 Games): 3-3-4 record, averaging 3.0 GPG while allowing 3.1. They’ve alternated results but won 5-2 over Vancouver on Dec. 22, with strong special teams. Road form: 4-3-3, +0.2 margin.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 22 | @ VAN | W | 5-2 |
| Dec 20 | vs. BUF | L | 3-5 |
| Dec 18 | vs. NYR | L (OT) | (Recent OT loss) |
| … | … | 3-3-4 overall | Avg. -0.1 margin |
Chicago Blackhawks (Last 10 Games): 2-7-1 record, averaging 2.4 GPG while allowing 4.3. On a five-game skid, outscored 17-7 since Bedard’s injury, including 4-6 loss to Ottawa on Dec. 20. Home form: 3-5-2, -1.9 margin.
statmuse.com +3
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Dec 20 | vs. OTT | L | 4-6 |
| Dec 18 | @ MTL | L | 1-4 |
| Dec 15 | vs. DAL | L | (Recent loss) |
| … | … | 2-7-1 overall | Avg. -1.9 margin |
Series History
Philadelphia holds a strong all-time edge, but recent games have been competitive and high-scoring. All-time: Flyers lead 71-59-30 (53.8%) overall, 69-51-30 in regular season. In Chicago: Flyers 30-35-15. This season: First meeting. Last 10: Flyers 6-4-0, with averages of 6.2 total goals. Recent: CHI won 7-4 on Mar. 23, 2025; PHI won 3-2 OT on Nov. 23, 2024. Overs hit in 7 of last 10; games often decided by 2 goals or less.
Betting Trends
Flyers 15-5 as favorites; Blackhawks 4-14 as underdogs. Flyers 16-19 ATS overall, 9-8 ATS on road; Blackhawks 14-21 ATS, 7-11 ATS at home. Over has hit in 6 of Flyers’ last 10 (60%) and 7 of Blackhawks’ last 10 (70%). Head-to-head: Over 7-3 in last 10. Flyers 9-1 ATS last 10; Blackhawks 1-4 ATS last 5 home. Flyers 4-1 ATS vs. sub-.500 teams; Blackhawks 2-8 ATS vs. winning teams.
Game Odds
Philadelphia Flyers – 120
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 22, 2025
