The Flyers were solid in the first half of the game but looked lucky to hang on to the loser point. The end result was a 4-3 victory for the visiting Hurricanes, extending their unbeaten streak in Philadelphia to nine games.

The basics

First period: 10:04- Bobby Brink (Trevor Zegras, Travis Sanheim), 17:34- Trevor Zegras (Travis Konecny, Jamie Drysdale)
Second period: 9:11- Nikolaj Ehlers (Shayne Gostisbehere), 14:12- Alexander Nikishin (Joel Nystrom, Taylor Hall)
Third period: 12:26- Seth Jarvis (Andrei Svechnikov, Shayne Gostisbehere ) 12:49- Carl Grundstrom (Rodrigo Abols)
Overtime: No scoring
Shootout: Trevor Zegras- No goal, Seth Jarvis- No goal, Matvei Michkov- No goal, Andrei Svechnikov- No goal, Travis Konecny- No goal, Sebastian Aho- No goal, Bobby Brink- No goal, Jackson Blake- Goal
SOG: 18 (PHI) – 21 (CAR)

Some takeaways

Fourth line baby steps

The fourth line hasn’t been impressive this season. Not breaking news. Yet, the addition of winger Carl Grundstrom has given them a little bit more jump and offensive possibilities. Early on the line had a good shift with Grundstrom nearly feeding Hathaway in front for a great chance. The line is looking a little better. Considering how bad they were could they be much worse? Probably not. Grundstrom might be the key that takes the bottom line out of what has been a very trying season.

Grundstrom delivered a huge game-tying goal in the third, just 23 seconds after Carolina took a 3-2 lead. The winger took a high glove hand shot that beat Pyotr Kochetkov clean. Hopefully this production begins to rub off a bit more on Rodrigo Abols (who got the helper) and Garnet Hathaway.

CARL GRUNDSTROM TIES IT UP IMMEDIATELY!!! THIS MAN HAS CHANGED THE 4TH LINE’S LIVES!!! 3-3!!!!#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/j7BlibnyLz

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) December 14, 2025

Ersson keeps Flyers in the fight

Nobody was sure how Philadelphia would approach this back-to-back against Carolina. Would they go with Dan Vladar between the pipes Saturday and then Sam Ersson on the road? Well, no, they did the opposite. Ersson, playing his first game since a loss against the high-flying Avalanche, had to face a breakaway early on after a ridiculous line change less than 90 seconds in. Carolina didn’t score, but it was definitely a wake-up call to the Flyers who didn’t spend much time in their own zone then next few shifts.

Ersson was solid on Carolina’s initial power play, making some key stops in the slot. But the Flyers did a fantastic job in front of him, with Carolina going a considerable length of time between shots. The first shot of the second period for Ersson was a timely one on Logan Stankoven. Another key stop was on defenseman K’Andre Miller as Philadelphia was feeling a bit of pressure while a Seth Jarvis wrister was gloved down by Ersson, giving the Flyers a much needed line change. It didn’t prevent Carolina from capitalizing on a Ty Murchison miscue that led to Nikolaj Ehlers cut the deficit in half.

The second goal in as many games for #27.

Carolina needed one to get back in this, and they got it. pic.twitter.com/7ven2T2Mcj

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) December 14, 2025

Ersson didn’t get much help the longer the second period went on. After more pressure, Carolina tied things up 2-2 as Alexander Nikishin took a shot from the blueline which deflected off Noah Cates’ skate and past Ersson. And after keeping the game tied as the Flyers looked lost at sea in their own end, the keeper had almost no chance on a Seth Jarvis breakaway. A near stellar save went for not as the puck went off Ersson’s toe and in. Ersson was solid in this game and particularly in overtime. The Flyers couldn’t score in the shootout. Once again the goaltender made some huge saves but the .857 save percentage would lead others to say otherwise.

TK OK

Travis Konecny made a huge booboo in overtime last game (although Sean Couturier admitted he didn’t help a whole lot). On this night Konecny was ready to put that miscue in the rearview mirror. And he did in spades. Konecny took a crosscheck in his own zone. Instead of retaliating, Konecny went to the bench. The line change resulted in Bobby Brink coming on to score the opening goal. Meanwhile late in the first, Konecny went behind Carolina’s net to feed Trevor Zegras with a pretty backhand pass to take a 2-0 lead. It was a great 20 minutes that served as a fine confidence boost to the winger.

Trevor Zegras has already tied his goal total from last year in 23 fewer games after burying a sweet feed by Travis Konecny, 2-0 Flyers.
Goal: Zegras (12)
pic.twitter.com/DoWvLowumS

— Andrew Coté (@acote_88) December 14, 2025

The goal marked the 12th of the season for Zegras, matching his total for last season in Anaheim.

Initially holding Carolina to few shots

The Flyers did an excellent job against Carolina in limiting their shots. Carolina shoots from anywhere, everywhere, at all times. So to see Philadelphia allowing just five Canes shots 23 minutes into the game should’ve been a feather in their cap. The Flyers pressured Carolina in all areas of the ice, at times looking like they might have had one or two extra skater when in fact they were anticipating plays and nixing plays before they developed. There was one point in the game Carolina went 12 minutes without a shot on goal. However, the Canes made adjustments in the second which had Philadelphia on their heels a good portion of period two.

Andrae a bit iffy on this night

Emil Andrae was looking good to start the game but in the second period was having some rough times. Andrae was on the ice with partner Jamie Drysdale for an extended shift in the middle period, giving the puck away in a prime location before being hammered behind the net. The Flyers were able to weather the storm and the tandem were able to make a change. Through the first two periods, Andrae’s Corsi For percentage was 28.57 (6-15) which was second lowest among the blueline next to Ty Murchison.

Michkov fine despite no points

When you think of Matvei Michkov, you shouldn’t think of him being the team’s leader in penalty minutes. But alas, he is. Michkov took a tripping penalty roughly four minutes into the first. Philadelphia killed it off. Midway through the first the forward nearly had an easy tap in courtesy of Owen Tippett but wasn’t able to connect. Michkov was once again limited in his minutes but was the lone Flyer skater to be north of 50 per cent in terms of Corsi For percentage with 62.50 heading into the second intermission in just under nine minutes.

Michkov was responsible for an icing late in the third but made a great block on the ensuing play that was enough to get Philadelphia at least one point. He also was given some time in the extra session, and in the shootout, but couldn’t score.

Power play? Not this night

After going just 4 for 32 the last little while, and with Tocchet clearly unhappy with the lack of production, the Flyers needed to start turning things around on the special teams. They nearly did on the Canes first power play when Sean Couturier broke up a play and went in on a two-man breakaway with Carl Grundstrom. Sadly, Couturier’s pass to Grundstrom was quite tight in on Carolina keeper Pyotr Kochetkov who made the stop. Fortunately, the breakaway didn’t look like the worst breakaway attempt in Flyers history a few games ago.

The Flyers never got a power play in the first 48 minutes of play, although there seemed to be a few calls that the referees either missed or chose to ignore. None moreso than what looked to be an interference call by K’Andre Miller on Konecny.

Brink baby Brink!

Bobby Brink continues to play well regardless of the line he’s on. Halfway through the opening frame Trevor Zegras bolted up ice but then down-shifted across the blueline. While drawing some opponents, Zegras left a beautiful pass to Brink. Brink made a nifty move to get into the middle of the ice and beat Kochetkov clean on the glove side.

BOBS AWAY. 💣#CARvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/WL1bmJQ914

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 14, 2025

Brink had another great chance to break the 2-2 deadlock in the third but his shot just grazed the crossbar.

Tippett avoids injury

Owen Tippett blocked a shot late in the second period and seemed to be favoring his arm. He stayed on the ice but headed to the locker room before the horn sounded. Whatever it was, it wasn’t enough to keep the winger from taking is regular shift and looking no worse for wear.

Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and NHL.com.