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Despite a three game winning streak out West, the Philadelphia Flyers needed everything to go right for them when they returned home. However, despite a strong first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a rough opening to the second period eventually led to a 3-2 regulation loss.
So heading into Thursday game against the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Rick Tocchet made a few lineup changes. Defenseman Emil Andrae returned to the lineup for Noah Juulsen, while goalie Sam Ersson drew in net for Daniel Vladar.
With their playoff hopes approaching life support status (at 8.7 percent chance per Moneypuck.com), the Flyers knew that a strong rebound against the Blackhawks was required.
They got exactly that, as they were able to trounce Chicago 5-1, backed by a quick first period start and strong performance from Noah Cates, Christian Dvorak, and Alex Bump with a goal and assist each. Winger Owen Tippett added two assists and was a certifiable menace for the Blackhawks defense to handle.
In addition, the Flyers registered 42 shots on goal, a season high.
While the win certainly keeps the Flyers in the playoff race, their lack of regulation wins (22) compared to the teams ahead of them in the playoff race looms large. As they entered the final 11 games of the season, Philadelphia now finds itself with 82 points with a five point gap to the final Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.
Fast Start in the First Period
After the bad taste of Tuesday, the Flyers needed to get off to a fast start. And boy, did they.
In the first period, the Flyers jumped out to a 1-0 lead, 48 seconds into the game. Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight picked up a puck behind and attempted to clear it on his backhand. However, he put it right on the stick of Christian Dvorak, who found a crashing Alex Bump for his third goal of the season.
Shortly after, Sean Couturier would score his second goal in as many games. After Luke Glendening intercepted an errant Andre Burakovsky backhand pass, he whipped a shot towards the net. The Flyers captain deflected the puck past Knight to spot the Flyers a two goal lead at 2:33.
However, it wasn’t a flawless period as the Flyers had moments of sloppiness. While on a power-play, defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen turned the puck over at the blueline. But Ersson was able to bail him out with a blocker save on Ilya Mikheyev.
Later on a goal mouth scramble, the Blackhawks came close to finding the net, but defenseman Nick Seeler was able to clear the puck safely.
The Flyers benefitted from the Dvorak’s line’s commitment in getting to the middle of the ice throughout the game.
Zegras Line, Cates Light Up Blackhawks Defense
The story of the Flyers second period was the story of Trevor Zegras line with Denver Barkey and Owen Tippett.
Pregame, Flyers coach Rick Tocchet talked about Denver Barkey’s willingness to go to the net during the Columbus game. He was “johnny on the spot” after center Trevor Zegras knifed in between the Blackhawks defenseman. Barkey swooped in to collect the rebound and put the puck past Knight at 5:14 to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead.
The line continued to pressure the Blackhawks throughout the second period with Tippett carving the Blackhawks defense with puck possession. The big Flyers winger powered to the net on a regular basis, causing Chicago all kinds of problems defensively.
However, Chicago was able to finally crack Ersson when a bad clearing attempt saw the puck find it’s way to rookie Anton Frondell. The Swedish winger pulled a strong backhand pass to Connor Bedard to cut the Flyers’ lead to 3-1.
But the Flyers got their three goal lead back quickly. Matvei Michkov managed to win a board battle with defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, then sent the puck to a streaking Noah Cates, who easily beat Knight on his backhand.
Cates has had a strong post-Olympic break performance with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 15 games. And he would help the Flyers pad their lead to four goals when he found Owen Tippett. The Flyers winger fired a shot that deflected to Dvorak, who fired it past Spencer Knight with 25 seconds left in the period.
Philadelphia was able to salt the game away in the third period, but were able to keep pressure on with 18 shots on goal.
Pressure Is On To Stay In The Race
For the Flyers, as important as their win against Chicago was, they’ll continue to face a steep uphill climb to stay in the playoff race. They face a stiff test in a weekend back-to-back in Detroit on Saturday before coming home Sunday against the Dallas Stars.
The following week, they face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, before playing the Red Wings and the New York Islanders on Long Island on Thursday and Friday.
Rough sledding indeed.
Flyers Sign Ohio State’s Thompson to ELC
Earlier on Thursday, the Flyers announced they signed Ohio State forward Riley Thompson to a one year entry level contract, beginning with the 2026-27 season. Thompson, who was undrafted, will report to the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, on a professional tryout.
The 6-foot-4, 222-pound forward appeared in 37 games for Ohio State this season, recording 13 goals and 27 points. He ranked fourth on the team in goals and fifth in points, while leading the Buckeyes with eight power-play goals. Thompson helped to lead OSU to the Big Ten Championship game, with two goals and four points in the Tournament.
Thompson gives the Flyers a big, physical forward to add to their pipeline, as he had 60 penalty minutes this season and may project as a future fourth line option.
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