3 Takeaways From Flyers' OT Loss vs. Maple Leafs
No empty-net slapshot goals here!
Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports - 3 Takeaways From Flyers' OT Loss vs. Maple LeafsThe Flyers' win streak came to an end against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but were able to fight back in the third period to force OT and extend their point streak to five games heading into their Stadium Series matchup against the New Jersey Devils. It was an important point, and despite the loss, there was plenty to think about as the Flyers pack up and head down to MetLife Stadium.
Comeback Kids
The Flyers are no strangers to a comeback, and they certainly put one on after Auston Matthews went on a second period tear, scoring a natural hat trick to put the Flyers down 3-1, although it felt like a much bigger score gap.
Although the Leafs didn't make it easy, goals from Garnet Hathaway and newly-minted alternate captain Travis Konecny allowed the Flyers to get back in the game and force overtime, although William Nylander quickly called game with a goal of his own during 3-on-3 play.
It's become a signature of the Flyers' team character to never quit, no matter how hard their backs are pressed against the wall, and it earned them a point—a result that many fans are relatively satisfied with heading into the Stadium Series game.
Worries Over York and Couturier
The Leafs certainly didn't hold back on getting physical Flyers, but some instances went beyond run-of-the-mill hockey roughness. Cam York got leveled against the boards by Simon Benoit, immediately leaving the ice and heading straight down the tunnel, never re-entering the game.
New captain Sean Couturier also got banged up, taking a slash to the leg (although the penalty was never called). Couturier also immediately hobbled off in pain, and while he did manage to get back on the ice for a little bit, he overall only saw a season low 12:53 of ice time in Toronto.
As of right now, there aren't any updates pertaining to the severity of either player's injuries.
Something Is Missing...
This game against the Leafs highlighted a glaring hole in the Flyers' squad: they don't have that guy. That is to say, they don't have an Auston Matthews-type player that can take advantage of an opposing team's mistakes and pull out a hat trick like it's nothing. They have some outstanding players, and they have an incredibly admirable team identity of fighting until the very last minute, but they're missing that one superstar that can pull their plays together and make opponents pay for any slip-ups.
The hope amongst Flyers fans is that highly-rated prospect Matvei Michkov will be that player for them when he's able to sign for the Flyers in 2026 (and from how he's played since getting drafted, that hope is justified). Until the day comes when Michkov signs or they bring in that star power some other way, it will be a flagrant gap in an otherwise strong team.
The Flyers' next game will be their outdoor faceoff against the New Jersey Devils at MetLife Stadium on Feb. 17 at 8 pm EST.