Three Takeaways From Flyers Shootout Win vs. Lightning

For a moment, it felt like the Philadelphia Flyers were teetering on the edge of another frustrating loss.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, loaded with offensive firepower, kept pressing. The game stretched into overtime, then a shootout—where anything can happen. But the Flyers, who have made it clear all season that they're not in the business of rolling over, held their ground.

Sam Ersson was brilliant. Bobby Brink played like a man possessed. The depth lines came up huge. And when the dust settled, the Flyers skated away with two points, snapping their losing skid in the process.

It wasn't always pretty, but it was exactly the kind of win they needed—one that reminded everyone, including themselves, that they're not going ever going down without a fight.

1. Bobby Brink Played Like He Had Something to Prove

You could see it from his first shift—Bobby Brink wasn’t just skating, he was flying. 

He was relentless on the puck, aggressive in the offensive zone, and making something happen every time he stepped onto the ice. And, oh yeah, he scored twice.

But it wasn’t just about the goals. Brink was buzzing all over the ice, engaged in battles, driving play, and creating opportunities for his linemates. That’s been the challenge for him this season—not just showing flashes of skill, but consistently making an impact shift after shift. 

"Bobby's been playing good, period," John Tortorella said postgame. "He just hasn't finished...Part of his game is he works so hard away from the puck...He's taken a huge step in his development as far as what it is to be a pro—how he carries himself and how well he's played consistently throughout the year."

Against Tampa, he looked like a player who had no intention of being left out of the conversation when it comes to the Flyers’ most important pieces down the stretch.

The Flyers need this version of Brink. With their top lines carrying so much of the offensive load lately, getting big contributions from their depth guys is a game-changer. And on Tuesday night, Brink was not just contributing—he was one of the best players on the ice.

2. The Poehling-Brink-Lycksell Line Stepped Up in a Big Way

If you’ve been watching the Flyers closely this season, you know that John Tortorella has been searching for the right mix in his bottom six. It’s been a bit of a rotating cast at times, but against the Lightning, the line of Brink, Ryan Poehling, and Olle Lycksell clicked.

"I think we were connected tonight," Poehling said postgame. "Just kind of being on top of [the Lightning], creating turnovers, and then, offensively, I thought we stayed close."

Poehling was a steadying presence, showing off his speed and defensive awareness while also making some strong puck decisions. Lycksell, who’s been fighting to carve out a bigger role, had one of his best games of the year—active in the offensive zone, winning puck battles, and generating chances. And then there was Brink, who brought the finishing touch.

The Flyers have shown that they can spread the scoring responsibility across the entire lineup. They win by committee, and that only works when all four lines are engaged and producing. On a night where Tampa Bay threw everything they had at them, it was crucial that the Flyers’ offense wasn't just surviving—they were making an impact.

3. Sam Ersson Stole the Show in the Shootout

The Lightning are a terrifying team to face in a shootout. They have plenty of players that are capable of making a goalie look foolish in an instant. And yet, when the moment came, Sam Ersson stood tall.

It was the kind of performance that any goalie would be proud to have. Ersson was locked in, patient, and confident. He didn’t bite on the Lightning’s dekes, stayed square to the puck, and made the big stops when the Flyers needed them most. After a stretch where his game wasn't meeting the standard he wanted it at, this felt like a massive moment for him.

Goaltending has been a big topic of discussion for the Flyers this season, and Ersson’s form has been a rollercoaster at times. But this was one of those nights where he looked every bit like a guy who can be the No. 1 goalie. He didn’t just make the saves—he made them in the biggest moments, under the most pressure.

It’s hard to overstate how important that is. The Flyers need Ersson to be steady, to give them a chance to win every night. And if this game is a sign of where his confidence is heading, that’s a very, very good thing for Philadelphia.

Final Thoughts

The Flyers needed this one. Not just the two points, but the feeling that came with them—the belief, the fight, the proof that they’re still very much in this race.

They got huge contributions from an offense that had been doing a lot of things right, but not quite finding the back of the net. Their goalie came up massive when it mattered most. And despite the bumps and bruises of a tough game, they found a way to win.

There are still plenty of challenges ahead, but if this game showed anything, it’s that the Flyers aren’t backing down. They’ve been hit with adversity, but they refuse to let it define them. And if they keep playing with this kind of heart, they can still very much be a problem for any team standing in their way.