Flyers vs. Ducks: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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Rick Tocchet’s Philadelphia Flyers (22-12-7) hit the statistical midpoint of the 2025-26 season with a 5-2 home win over the reeling Anaheim Ducks (21-19-3) at a sold-out Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday night. As with last year’s game in Philadelphia against the Ducks (a 6-0 Flyers win), the home crowd — and the Flyers’ players — were jazzed up emotionally.

This was especially true for former Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. Responding to an early power play goal by former Flyers first round picks Cutter Gauthier (20th), Zegras blasted home 5-on-5 and power play goals (16th and 17th) to put Philadelphia on top in the first period. Philly never trailed again, scoring twice in the second period and once in the third.

Tuesday’s game was a feisty one. The Flyers had eight power plays, including a five-minute advantage and a 5-on-3 opportunity. There were also two fights in the game including Noah Cates’ first fight in the NHL.

Cam York (3rd) and Travis Sanheim (5th, goals in back-to-back games) extended the lead to 4-2 in the second period. NIkita Grebenkin (3rd) added an empty-net tally late in the third period. If not for a strong game by Anaheim netminder Lukas Dostal, the Flyers could have come away with nine or 10 goals instead of five.

Note: York’s goal could be changed to credit Cates instead. Cates appeared to get a high-tip on York’s point shot. If it’s changed, it will be Cates’ 11th goal of the season.

Final shot totals: Flyers 38 – Ducks 18. In addition to Gauthier’s first period goal, Alex Killorn (4th) scored a third period power play goal. Dan Vladar (16 saves) earned the win in net.

The Flyers, missing Matvei Michkov (lower body) from the lineup, lost two players in this game. Bobby Brink went down on his first shift of the game after a high hit from Jansen Harkins. This prompted Cates to stand up for his teammate and fight Harkins. Later, a crushing hit by Garnet Hathaway on Ollen Zellweger had former New York Islanders ruffian Russ Johnston seeking revenge on the first Flyer he could find. Johnston steamrolled Jamie Drydale far away from the puck. Drysdale had to be helped off the ice. Medical personnel brought out a stretcher. Thankfully, Drysdale didn’t have to be carted off the ice. Nonetheless, he needed assistance.

The Ducks are winless in their last seven games. MOveanwhile, the home crowd vociferously booed Gauthier every time he touched the puck. They started obscene chants going directed at the former draftee who spurned the organization. Nearly the entire crowd joined in. The instant animosity elevated the game’s temperature, and the Flyers players fed right off the energy.

The good

Zegras led the way offensively against his former team. That felt almost inevitable from the outset. Even by his energetic and exuberant standards, he was fired up from the opening faceoff.
Noah Cates, if there’s a scoring change on the third Philadelphia goal, earned his first Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the NHL. The way he stood up immediately for Brink demonstrated character and leadership.
Sean Couturier (one assist, 14-for-20 on faceoffs) was another tone-setter for Philly.
Even apart from his goal — if it stands — California native York had a tremendous game: five shots, five blocks, plus-three, team-high 25:39 TOI.
The electric atmosphere in the building made this a highly entertaining hockey game.

The bad

The Flyers lost the special teams battle. They were just 1-for-8 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the PK. Anaheim came into the game last in the NHL on the power play since Dec. 1. Two games ago, the Fyers also yielded twice to a Calgary power play ranked 32nd for the season,
It didn’t matter because the Flyers had the puck most of the night but Vladar seemed just a little off in this game. Dostal actually had the stronger game. That said, when Anaheim made a mini-push in the third period, Vladar made a couple of timely saves.

The ugly

The Flyers will not have more information on Brink and Drysdale until tomorrow. Johnston may face supplementary discipline for his retaliatory (and predatory) hit on Drysdale with the puck about 40 feet away.
Each successive Flyers power play after the five-minute major got progressively worse. The 5-on-3 was especially bad. In the third period, despite being badly outplayed, the Ducks were just one goal away from pulling with 4-3. That should not have been the case.

Flyers starting lineup

Trevor Zegras- Christian Dvorak – Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey – Sean Couturier – Owen Tippett
Nikita Grebenkin – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink
Carl Grundstrom – Rodrigo Abols – Garnet Hathaway

Cam York – Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae – Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler – Rasmus Ristolainen

Dan Vladar
[Samuel Ersson]