Some losses sting more than others. But with a point and a strong, relentless performance to build off of, the Philadelphia Flyers are jetting out of Dallas with a lot of fuel added to their fire.
The Flyers went toe-to-toe with one of the NHL’s best teams in the Stars, clawing their way back from an early deficit, shutting down a usually effective Stars powerplay, and forcing overtime in a game that could have easily slipped away in the first period. They didn’t get the second point, but they got something just as important—proof that they can hold their own against elite competition.
It wasn’t perfect. Ivan Fedotov’s night ended early after allowing two quick goals. The Flyers spent far too much time in the penalty box. And yet, they kept their heads above water. Travis Konecny snapped his scoring drought, Ryan Poehling continued his hot streak, and Sam Ersson slammed the door shut after coming in cold.
1. The Flyers Kept Swinging After a Rough Start
If you blinked, you might’ve missed Ivan Fedotov’s night. The Flyers’ netminder lasted just one period, pulled after allowing two goals on five shots.
The decision wasn’t so much a scathing indictment of Fedotov as it was a gut-check moment for the team. After all, this wasn’t just any opponent—it was the Dallas Stars, a powerhouse loaded with offensive weapons. Falling behind early against them? That’s a recipe for disaster.
But the Flyers didn’t fold. They adjusted. They pushed back. And, most importantly, they kept their composure.
John Tortorella wasted no time making the switch to Sam Ersson, and the move paid off immediately. Ersson was lights out the rest of the way, stopping everything Dallas threw at him. He gave the Flyers a chance, and they took it. (He was also helped out by a clutch, if divisive, goal line save by Emil Andrae in the second period.)
The energy shifted. The battles got heavier. The offensive pressure ramped up. And sure enough, it was Travis Konecny who struck first, cutting the lead in half and injecting life into a Flyers bench that refused to quit.
Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) on X
You know that one felt good.
#PHIvsDAL | #LetsGoFlyers
“You could see it coming the last game,” Tortorella told reporters postgame. “He just looks quicker. He looks more reactive. When I see him more reactive, less thinking is going on, so hopefully he’ll feel good about that and keep going.”
There’s something to be said for a team that takes a punch and keeps moving forward. That’s exactly what the Flyers did.
2. Ryan Poehling Does It Again
Let’s talk about Ryan Poehling. Because whatever switch he flipped recently? It’s working.
“He’s been put in more spots and ramped up his game,” Tortorella said of Poehling’s uptick in production.
His game-tying goal in the third period was another example of why he’s been so effective—strong positioning, an aggressive drive to the net, and an ability to capitalize when it matters most. It was his third goal in the last five games, a continuation of the momentum he’s been building over the past few weeks.
Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) on X
Poehls is FEELING it rn. 😮💨
@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate
This isn’t just a nice hot streak—it’s something more. Poehling has transformed into a legitimate difference-maker. He’s always had the speed and defensive instincts, but now, there’s confidence in his game that wasn’t always there before. He’s making plays with authority, driving possession, and proving that he’s not just a depth piece, but a valuable contributor to the Flyers’ offense.
“I’m just playing with the puck,” Poehling told media postgame. “I think we’re holding on to it and making a lot of great plays. Our team is playing great, so that obviously helps. We’ve just gotta continue doing more of that.”
3. The Flyers’ Penalty Kill Was the Difference Maker
On paper, the Flyers took too many penalties. Five, to be exact. And against a team like Dallas, that’s usually a death sentence.
The Flyers’ penalty kill has been up and down this season, but they came up huge against a Stars team that can do some damage on the man advantage.
That’s a testament to how well the penalty kill operated. They clogged lanes, blocked shots, and pressured Dallas at every turn. They didn’t just sit back and hope for the best—they were aggressive, forcing the Stars into tough looks and disrupted passing lanes.
The Flyers showed what they’re capable of doing against top teams, and with inconsistent special teams performances all year, this was one of their best performances. When you’re fighting for every possible point in a playoff race, these are the details that matter.
Final Thoughts
This was the kind of game that shows why the Flyers are still in the thick of things. They didn’t crumble after falling behind early. They adjusted, they battled, and they found a way to steal a point from one of the league’s best.
Konecny is heating back up. Poehling is stepping up to give the offense some life. The penalty kill was borderline heroic. And Ersson, once again, proved why he’s been so critical to the team’s success.
The Flyers may not have gotten the win, but they proved—once again—that they’re never out of a fight. And in a season defined by resilience, that’s what matters most.