To the surprise of most, the Philadelphia Flyers (28-31-8) snapped a five-game losing streak last night, earning their first win since the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
Before the faceoff versus the Tampa Bay Lightning (37-23-5), John Tortorella spoke to the media in his pre-game press conference. He said he felt bad for the organization because they’re working hard while acknowledging how Daniel Brière made necessary moves. The Flyers are evaluating and competing with what they have left at this stage as other teams are ramping up for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“I feel for them and I feel for my coaching staff, Danny Brière, [and] the whole organization. We want to get where we want to be. What happened at the deadline, [and] all the players going prior; Beezer [Joel Farabee] and [Morgan] Frost. It was the right thing. The deadline was a seller’s market; Danny did some great things, but then we’re here. It sucks, but we just have to keep our eye on the ball, I have to stay patient as far as some of the things that we are going to probably go through here in the last quarter of the year.” – John Tortorella; 3/13/2025
Last night, Philadelphia kept working and took the season series (2-0-0) with one more game remaining against the Lightning next Monday. Tortorella tinkered with the forward lines, optimizing firepower. However, as impressive was the defense. Yes, Tampa Bay scored three, but without Rasmus Ristolainen in the lineup, the Flyers effectively played in fives to help Sam Ersson.
In a true team victory, everyone had a share in the triumph. Now, the Lightning are on a three-game losing streak.
First Period
Shots: 9-7, Flyers
Score: 1-1
I highlighted Sean Couturier before the opening faceoff. His -5 rating after two losses to the New Jersey Devils and the Ottawa Senators wasn’t a fair indication of his recent play. He buzzed last night, starting early in the offensive zone with Matvei Michkov. Michkov looked for the backdoor feed on Jonas Johansson to generate a high-danger scoring chance, but Johansson tipped the puck away.
Philadelphia set their pace versus Tampa Bay. Brandon Hagel won the race against Travis Sanheim to clear an icing call, but Sanheim didn’t panic. He kept his structure, created a battle at the boards, and effectively helped clear the defensive zone.
Ryan Poehling served a minor penalty for delaying the game. The puck sailed off the ice and out of play without contest. On the penalty kill, the Flyers surrendered a goal. Gage Goncalves dunked the crafted pass from Yanni Gourde for a powerplay goal, 1-0, with 11:31 remaining in the first period.
Returning to even-strength hockey, Philadelphia continued to find shooting lanes. Travis Konecny sprung Tyson Foerster open for a high-danger scoring chance, but Johansson made the save. The Flyers were pacing a first period featuring honest goaltending efforts from Johansson and Ersson. Ersson denied Mitchell Chaffee on a near breakaway on the ensuing transition.
Bobby Brink accepted a bank pass from Olle Lycksell to compliment his offensive zone entry. Upon his entry, Brink placed a wrist shot past Johansson, 1-1, 5:40 remaining in the first period. Brink connected with Lycksell after Tortorella moved Konecny on a line with Noah Cates and Foerster. That nuanced change in the lineup was a big focal point.
Second Period
Shots: 17-14, Flyers
Score: 3-2, Flyers
While Philadelphia neutralized the Lightning in the final minutes of periods, they could not ward off the early momentum killers. Zemgus Girgensons slammed the rebound past Ersson, 2-1, with 19:45 remaining in the second period. Erik Černák took the original shot from the blue line, and at 0:15, Tampa Bay regained the lead.
Brink served a minor penalty for tripping. Johansson denied a shorthanded chance by Foerster. Ersson buckled down in the crease, denying Oliver Bjorkstrand, Anthony Cirelli, and Ryan McDonagh. This penalty kill put the Flyers to get back on track. Philadelphia finished 2/3 (66%) on the penalty kill.
JJ Moser served a minor penalty for holding. On the powerplay, the Flyers worked through Michkov and Jamie Drysdale. Emil Andrae struggled with offensive zone containment on the second unit. Philadelphia didn’t convert, finishing 0/2 (0%) on the powerplay.
On his horse, Brink redeemed himself after committing two penalties. Couturier executed a cross-ice pass to spring Brink through the neutral zone on the attack. Brink swooped backhand, 2-2, with 9:05 remaining in the second period to knot the game again. Officially, Brink went on hat-trick alert.
Instead of surrendering a late goal, the Flyers served the Lightning with a backbreaking goal. Poehling had Johansson point-blank, made his move, and dunked the puck beyond the goal line, 3-2, with 0:59 remaining in the second period. The line consisting of Lycksell, Poehling, and Brink had a multi-point outing.
Third Period
Shots: 28-19, Flyers
Score: 3-3
Cam Atkinson got open in the middle of the ice and received a pass from Victor Hedman before snapping the puck past Ersson, 3-3, with 16:10 remaining in the third period. Philadelphia welcomed Atkinson back to the Wells Fargo Center with a video package to thank him for his service with the Flyers. In a way, Atkinson welcomed himself.
Egor Zamula successfully cleared the defensive zone. One thing notable about his performance is his technique in flipping the puck into the neutral zone. Often enough, the inability to clear the defensive zone haunts Philadelphia. This clearance allowed for a solid transition into possession in the offensive zone by Foerster, Cates, and Konecny.
Foerster stepped up, too. He cleared the porch for Ersson, preventing what would’ve been a top-notch chance for Tampa Bay. Ersson continued facing pressure, and Foerster remained very alert, helping his team earn a point on the road trip. However, one more point remained up for grabs.
Overtime
Shots: 29-20, Flyers
Score: 3-3
Teams who win the early possession in a three-on-three overtime love to reset possessions, cycle in the offensive zone, and do anything to keep tired players on the ice. It’s a great strategy to increase chances of winning, but the Lightning didn’t execute. The Flyers stopped Tampa Bay long enough to exchange players for fresh legs on the ice, but neither team mustered much offense. Both squeezed one more shot in the overtime period.
Shootout
Score: 4-3, Flyers
The format for the shootout required five skaters to conclude. Michkov and Owen Tippett solved Johansson. Ersson mitigated the damages, only surrendering a shootout goal to Brayden Point. Philadelphia pulled away with two points and the win, 4-3.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday at 7:00pm/ET.
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