The Philadelphia Flyers got blown out by the New York Rangers, the team whose general manager just put out an open letter declaring 2025-26 a failure.
First period
Highlight: It was nice to see Travis Konecny open the game’s scoring. The Flyers have only scored first 15 times in their first 47 games. Unfortunately, the lead did not last long. The Rangers responded with the game-tying goal about 45 seconds later, and scored three within 1:20 of game time to take a 3-1 lead. But the real highlight is Flyers starter Aleksei Kolosov only lasting 8:25 and being pulled before he was able to make a single save, allowing three goals on three shots. WOW!
What I want to see next period: I don’t even know. The Rangers put out an open letter to their fans declaring this a lost season. Now they’re beating up a Flyers team, in Philly, that has playoff hopes. This is the biggest embarrassment, in a week of failures. I guess I want to see this game hit the over (o/u 6) and Matvei Michkov score a goal, because that’s cool.
Second period
Highlight: Mika Zibanejad completed his hat trick 8:25 into the period, or with over half the game to play. This is a disgrace. It’s Zibanejad’s second goal of the period after scoring on a power play that came from Sam Ersson firing a puck over the glass a few minutes prior. This Flyers team did not show up today, and they’re getting what they deserve. Oh, and Travis Sanheim scored his 60th career goal, short-handed, finishing a 2-on-1 with TK to make it 6-2 with 3:12 left in the period. Hooray!
What I want to see next period: Nothing. I want the game to end. I want the Olympic break to start immediately. This team has destroyed all the good will from the first half of the season in a week of terrible performances. Every fan who paid to get into the building should just get up and leave. Forget throwing your jersey or booing, just get up and leave. It’s only 2:30pm, there’s plenty of Saturday left to do something enjoyable.
Third period
Highlight: With the Flyers trailing 6-3, Matvei Michkov was inches away from making it a two-goal game, but somehow couldn’t get his stick on the puck as it sat on the goal line behind Spencer Martin. I have no idea how, but this puck stayed out.
Final note: This game was an embarrassment. Yeah, the Flyers made a decent push in the third period. Cool. It’s called score effect. Give up six in the first 40 minutes, you should control possession in the third. Your opponent is just trying to get out healthy at that point. Blowing a 1-0 lead by giving up a short-handed goal to Scott Laughton? Disappointing, but at least they got a point. You can explain it, somewhat. Getting blown out a couple of times by a red hot Tampa team? Understandable. Losing to Buffalo sucks, but at least they’ve been playing winning hockey lately.These Penguins and Rangers losses? Unacceptable. This has changed my entire outlook on the season.
4 Comments
axlelarue
Yep, they’re cooked. Thanks for 1/2 season of pensive optimism, boys!
Kesniel Acton
Were they overachieving the first part of the season? I still want to see the core pieces get in place and let the team come together. They have no #1 championship goalie. (What else is new for the Flyers? I think you can say that since 1987.) Looks like they might have a 1C now though.
Making the playoffs would be great, but team building still needs to be the priority.
David Schwarz
The “What I want to see in the next period” sections are hilarious. We’re losing collective minds, and for good reason!
David LaVeck
I share your sentiments on the team, Bill, they have become an embarrassment. Who thought that they could become any worse? They have truly hit rock bottom with this pair of goaltenders leading the way. To think I couldn’t have done worse in net, what a joke.