The Philadelphia Flyers (22-13-7) nearly held onto their one-goal lead, but the Toronto Maple Leafs (21-15-7) tied it late and won it in overtime, 2-1. Travis Konecny was the lone goal scorer, while former Flyer Scott Laughton and Easton Cowan scored to lift the Leafs.
Last night’s game felt like a complete 180. Just on Tuesday night, the Flyers won a high-paced, action-packed 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Just two nights later, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had his way, which is a long and slowly dragged out game. Rick Tocchet also plays low-event hockey, so it does make some sense why this contest had the feel it did.
The Power Play Situation
What does not make sense is the ineptitude of the Flyers power play. Ranked 30th (15%), they went o-for-3 on the power play in this game, including 52 seconds of 5-on-3. It was an opportunity to bury the Leafs late in the third period. Instead, the Leafs, specifically Laughton, scored on the ensuing 5v4 shorthanded. It became the biggest reason why they did not win in regulation.
“The best [way] to describe it, the five on three. They had two guys on one side, and if we make one pass, somebody would have been wide open, but we’re looking for plays instead of organically playing. I don’t know if that makes sense to you guys. They had a guy with no stick, and we had the puck on the other side. That’s… that’s a hard one for me to swallow because you want the puck on the side of the guy with no sick right. I don’t know if it’s the pressure and sometimes guys are squeezing [their sticks] so much, but we need some guys to understand the pressure and convert. ” – Rick Tocchet; 1/8/2026
Injuries Continue, Updates on Drysdale
It seemed like the Flyers were one of the few teams who avoided serious injuries, until did. Now, they have one more to worry about, and that is Travis Konecny. Konecny did not return for the third period, but it was suggested that the injury may have occurred earlier in the game.
“Something was bugging him early on. I think he fell or something.” – Rick Tocchet; 1/8/2026
Of course, the Flyers hope it’s nothing too serious as he gets evaluated. Speaking of which, Jamie Drysdale was activated to IR retroactive to Tuesday, which suggests the injury was serious and he will be out for some time. Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported it before the Flyers confirmed it later Friday. Additionally, Konecny and Bobby Brink are considered day-to-day and the hope is that Brink’s injury is not as serious as Drysdale’s. Their next two games against the Tampa Bay Lightning (8-game win streak) were already going to be tough. Now, it’s going to be a serious challenge considering these key injuries.
First Period
Shots: 8-6 Philadelphia
Score: 0-0
Expected Goals Battle (5v5): 1.09 – 0.58 Philadelphia
Expected Goals Battle (All Situations): 1.09 – 0.58 Philadelphia
The first few minutes were very sloppy, particularly from the forwards. For whatever reason, they could not make good decisions with the puck. There were a few extended shifts in the Flyers end due to turnovers from the forward.
Once they got out of it, they answered with a flurry of chances, including this breakaway from Denver Barkey.
Later in the period, the Flyers would go to their first power play, but did very little with it at the end of the period.
Second Period
Shots: 13-11 Toronto
Score: 1-0
Expected Goals Battle (5v5): 1.51 – 1.46 Toronto
Expected Goals Battle (All Situations): 1.55 – 1.46 Toronto
Despite their first powerplay looking uninspiring, the momentum they built at 5v5 from the first period carried over. Shortly after the powerplay ended, Christian Dvorak set up Konecny for his 14th goal of the season. It was a great pass and good work by Konecny to sneak into the left hash mark for the goal.
The Flyers halted some of their momentum with two consecutive minor infractions. First, it was Emil Andrae, who got sent to the box for holding. Next, it was Konecny, who got whistled for slashing. Fortunately, the penalty kill went 2-for-2. While their ranking has began to dip (16th in the league), they looked good in this game. Garnet Hathaway has looked noticeable this week. Between his big hits on Tuesday, and his good work on the penalty kill tonight, he has found a way to make an impact. Hopefully, that elusive first point for Hathaway finds its way to him soon. Also, his skate blade exploded!
Towards the end of the second period, Barkey was recognized for his good work along the boards. Being swarmed by leafs, he got pinned along the Flyers blue line. Still, he found a way to not lose possession and actually made a great pass that generated a clean zone exit. Of course, in typical Barkey fashion, you will notice him hauling down the ice as soon as he makes that pass. It would be understandable if those battle zapped some of that juice out of a player, but not Barkey. A good moment for a player who is still battling the “too small” for the league thinkers.
Third Period
Shots: 22-20 Toronto
Score: 1-1
Expected Goals Battle (5v5): 2.17 – 1.81 Toronto
Expected Goals Battle (All Situations): 3.26 – 2.26 Philadelphia
The third period kicked things off without Konecny, which is never good. Dan Vladař made a handful of good stops on this night, and he continued that work in this period with a couple key saves. With Konecny out, Nikita Grebenkin would see some shifts with Dvorak and Zegras. Frankly, he looked good. His tenacity, and playmaking really popped in this game. He was winning pucks, and setting teammates up for some great looks at the net.
Barkey would draw a penalty to put the Flyers on their second powerplay. Owen Tippett would create a grade-A chance, flying into the zone and catching the Leafs back skating. He attempted a wrap around, and Trevor Zegras followed up with a few whacks at the rebound as well. Zegras and Michkov thought the puck went in, but the officials would deem that the puck never crossed the line. If it did, they were the only players on the ice that saw it go in.
Then, they earned an opportunistic 5-on-3 penalty. The second, and this power play featured Zegras and Michkov together, which is something fans have been clamoring for. Michkov would make a slick move, using his back to create space for a scoring chance.
Still, the Flyers didn’t do enough with their powerplays, and former Flyer Scott Laughton would make them pay. Skating the puck into the Flyers zone, he used Rasmus Ristolainen as a screen and released a great shot to beat Vladař shorthanded.
Overtime Period
Final Stats
Shots: 23-23
Score: 2-1 Toronto
Expected Goals Battle (5v5): 2.17 – 1.81 Toronto
Expected Goals Battle (All Situations): 3.52 – 2.38 Philadelphia
The Flyers would get their chances including a Trevor Zegras breakaway and several odd man rushes. In the end, it would be Easton Cowan, Barkey’s former OHL teammate, to seal Philadelphia’s fate in this game.
Up Next
Philadelphia will continue their four-game homestand to host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7pm/ET on Saturday.
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