The tank rolls on: Flyers fall flat against Carolina 5-0
Mar 15, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) battles for the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
It was a fitting end to the very long homestand for the Flyers tonight. With 7 straight home games, the Flyers went an abysmal 1-6 somehow squeezing a win out over Tampa Bay last night.
Tonight was more of the usual, a very flat and lifeless performance.
More struggles for Ersson
Samuel Ersson has been one of the more disappointing aspects of this year’s Flyers. For reasons both in and out of his control, he hasn’t been able to build off of his promising 2024 campaign at all. Tonight was no different for Ersson.
He’d see 31 shots from the Canes and allow 5 goals. It’s the 5th time in his last 6 starts in the net that he’s allowed 4 goals or more. Mark Jankowski made the most noise for Carolina getting 2 goals on the night in their impressive performance. Goaltending has been a well-documented issue the entire season and is sure to be something that the front office addresses over the summer.
That's Mark Jankowski's music! pic.twitter.com/Utn9btjeKT
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 15, 2025
Lifeless night offensively
March has not treated the Flyers kindly, especially in terms of putting pucks in the back of the net. Tort’s crew is second to last in the league in March in goals scored leading only the Minnesota Wild. In the last 6 games, they’ve only scored more than 2 goals once.
Tonight, they were shut out by Pyotr Kochetkov who notched a total of 26 saves. While there were moments throughout the game the offense failed to sustain much pressure to create quality chances. Again, the power play struggled going 0 for 2. The unit on the season has dipped below 15% and is now 30th in the league ahead of only Anaheim and the Islanders, as well as having an 8-game drought without a PPG.
Oh baby, Pyotr Kochetkov!
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) March 15, 2025
It looked like the Flyers were about to get back within one, but #52 just gets a toe on this would-have-been goal. pic.twitter.com/q28nXXhZhK
No, it’s not getting better
Unfortunately, it is going to be really hard to watch this team for the rest of the season for a wide range of reasons. The first is that Torts seems to have completely lost the locker room. Last season the team was punching above its weight, but it felt like players were bought in. Compare that to this year, the team is lifeless almost every night.
Second being March hockey matters a lot more to most of the teams we will be playing in the near future than it does to us. Teams are fighting for seeding and just making the playoffs at all. 5 of the next 6 opponents for the Flyers are either in the playoffs or fighting for a spot. Second being March hockey matters a lot more to most of the teams we will be playing in the near future than it does to us. Teams are fighting for seeding and just making the playoffs at all. 5 of the next 6 opponents for the Flyers are either in the playoffs or fighting for a spot.
This time of the season is usually dreadful to watch but this time it feels like we're watching the last of an era of a really really mid hockey team. Feel like we're seeing major changes in the summer. (and this likely top 5 pick is really gonna help)
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 16, 2025
Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order
Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO
Ethan Whitney
Ethan is a writer for Philly Sports Reports and a Color Commentator for Rally Sports Network. He has been a massive fan of all Philly Sports for as long as he can remember and wants to share that passion with the world. He is looking for a long career in the sports media sphere.
