No one said it was going to be easy.
The Flyers would be the first to tell you that, even though their recent success had them in a favorable position for a playoff spot heading into the last four games of the season.
After Thursday night’s 6-3 loss to the Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, combined with the New York Islanders’ win over Toronto, the Flyers find themselves with just a one-point edge for the final playoff position in the Metropolitan Division. Both New York and Philadelphia have three games remaining on their schedules.
The Red Wings scored three power-play goals and one shorthanded to drive Flyers starting goaltender Dan Vladar to the bench. Coach Rick Tocchet, perhaps looking to give his team a jolt, went with Sam Ersson in relief after the fourth goal but the damage had been done.
Dylan Larkin registered a hat trick to lead the Red Wing attack. It was his third career hat trick.
The Flyers struggled with penalties and penalty killing all evening. Bottom line, some of the Flyers’ better players who don’t compete on special teams spent a lot of time on the bench.
“Some of our guys who have been playing really well didn’t get to see the ice,” defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “They’re not on the special teams. So it’s really tough, especially in games like these that mean so much. You hate to see it go that way with so many penalties.
“You’d like to decide it five-on-five. We liked our chances five-on-five. I think you saw it early on, we were the better team. We kept taking penalties and they were capitalizing. The PK wasn’t good enough tonight.”
Tocchet indicated the whole situation came down to discipline, or lack of it.
“I’m a little disappointed,” Tocchet said. “But I’m going to let it go. We’re still in position to control our own destiny. Very undisciplined tonight. I’m very disappointed with some guys. Their best players played better than our best players.”
With so much on the line, the coach expected more from some of his stars.
“A huge lesson,” Tocchet said. “Honestly, I’d rather us get whipped than lose by one. Hopefully we take this and understand what it takes when you’re in these situations.”
Detroit scored three times in the second period to break the game open.
A power-play goal by defenseman Moritz Seider (a goal and four assists for the game) just 32 seconds into the period broke a 1-1 tie. Then, only 1:18 later, it was Larkin’s turn to connect on another power play. Finally, Larkin made it 4-1 with a shorthanded effort at 4:56.
The Flyers’ only response was Porter Martone’s second NHL goal a 9:25 on the power play with the primary assist going to Trevor Zegras.
Red Wings goalie John Gibson was pulled in the second period and the speculation was he was directed to undergo concussion protocol. He was replaced by ex-Flyer Cam Talbot.
In the third period, Patrick Kane scored at 7:01 to make it 5-2. Then Larkin completed his three-goal performance at 11:39. Luke Glendening closed the scoring with his second goal as a Flyer.
Detroit broke out on top in the first period when Matvei Michkov took a needless roughing penalty just 2:07 after the opening whistle. The Red Wings quickly capitalized with Alex DeBrincat getting a shot past Vladar just seconds later.
But the Flyers responded at 13:54 when Christian Dvorak guided a Martone shot past Gibson. Martone has four assists in his first five games. Travis Konecny picked up his 40th assist of the season on the play.
Martone was one of the few bright spots.
“The sky’s the limit,” Tocchet said. “Greasy goal. Need more that.”
The Flyers are 6-1 after a loss since the Olympic break. Is that encouraging for the next game in Winnipeg?
“There’s a lot to draw from,” Tocchet agreed. “We have a great road record. But you just have to be careful. We have to get our energy level for the next game.”
>Berglund signed
Jack Berglund might have been a 51st overall draft pick but the Flyers believe he should have been rated much higher than that.
In each of the past two team development camps, Berglund has stood out with his overall play.
The Flyers showed faith in his ability on Thursday by signing him to a three-year, entry-level contract which kicks in next year.
Berglund, 19, will report to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Philadelphia took Berglund, a 6-foot-4, 217-pound forward in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft. He has represented Sweden at both the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.
>Short shots
The three-game road trip ends with that game at Winnipeg on Saturday night. . .Tyson Foerster’s .65 goals per game average since March 27 is tied for the NHL lead with Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon. . .The Flyers entered the game second in goals allowed per game since the Olympic break. Philadelphia’s 2.52 trails only St. Louis. . .Also, the Flyers went into this game having won 10 of their previous 11 road games, a team record. . .Detroit ended a five-game home losing streak.
Be the first to comment