Flyers Season Sweep Canucks, Respond to Loss with 6-3 Win
Trevor Zegras #46 and Travis Konecny #11 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate a the Philadelphia Flyers goal during the third period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on December 30, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
After a disappointing result in Seattle against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday night, the Philadelphia Flyers looked to right the ship here in Vancouver, British Columbia, as they enter stop number two on their annual West Coast trip.
The Flyers certainly put their ship in a great direction, as they beat the Vancouver Canucks in head coach Rick Tocchet‘s return to the city as a visitor. Not only was this a victory for the Flyers, but it was a comfortable win, with the offense getting on the board six times tonight, for the 6-3 win in the first half of a back-to-back for the Flyers.
Though defense seemed to be shaky at times, as they gave up the first goal, the Flyers were able to get the job done in regulation, and more importantly, get back in the win column.
Grundstrom Remains Red-hot
With many Flyers now showing their potential by going on streaks of a sort, such as Trevor Zegras scoring a career-high nine-game point streak, one Flyer had come out of nowhere.
Carl Grundstrom, whom the Flyers traded for right before the season had begun. Grundstrom was sent over to Philadelphia by the San Jose Sharks, who received the contract of long-term injured-reserved Flyer Ryan Ellis, who had played four games with the Flyers. While this trade was looked at as a major win for general manager Daniel Briere, there was no huge story to the move, as Grundstrom would be intended for the American Hockey League with the Flyers’ affiliate, Lehigh Phantoms, but after his first 12 games with the Flyers, this trade looks to be another steal for Briere.
Grundstrom’s last four games have been special for the Flyers, as he is now on a four-game goal streak, after scoring yet another beauty, at the right time to take the lead against the Canucks. Grundstrom has played 12 games with Philadelphia and has scored seven goals and a +/- of +6.
After extending the goal streak to three games in Seattle on Sunday night, Grundstrom looked to be a potential key to this team, as the Flyers needed a fourth liner who could put the puck into the net, as fourth liners such as Garnet Hathaway and Nicolas Deslauriers have combined for zero points in 2025.
Michkov Gets a Pair of Apples
One of the biggest concerns throughout the season has been Matvei Michkov‘s sophomore season in questionable shape. Michkov, who led all NHL rookies in goals last season with 26, has not responded to the standard that he set for himself after a 63-point rookie season.
This year, Michkov has looked to have suffered the sophomore slump, as he is projected for about 45 points in the regular season, causing questions about his personal fitness, minutes per game, and other factors that seem to hurt the young star. There has been enough drama to the point where Tocchet had had enough, as he fended off an explosion of questions regarding Michkov.
All of the questions aside, Michkov went out tonight, as he looked to have skated the fastest he has all season. Something clicked for him as he racked up two assists in the win for the Flyers.
The first assist was a beautiful pass back to Noah Cates for his tenth of the season, and the tie game for the Flyers. Not only was it huge for Michkov to get on the board tonight, but it was also huge when he racked up his second apple of the game, on a 2-on-1 chance for Michkov and Bobby Brink. With a lefty shot for Michkov, he was able to use Brink as a deflector to give the Flyers their two-goal lead right back, just 26 seconds after the Canucks had thought they gained momentum after their goal.
A better night for Michkov will definitely give him the confidence back that he needs, and quiet the annoying crowd.
Puck Drop Before the Ball Drop
With the year 2025 coming to a close, the Flyers can be thankful for a great finish to the year, after the end of the 2024-2025 season resulted in the sixth overall pick in the draft.
Though there has been a lot of good for the Flyers to look back on, they’re not done yet, as they head to Calgary, Alberta, to face off against the Flames at 9:30 PM to finish off the season series.
Luke Raidy
Luke has covering the the Flyers and Phillies for Philly Sports Reports since 2025. He is a junior at North Penn and being a huge Philly sports fan has brought so many experiences, such as going to the NLDS, NLCS, and even the World Series in 2022. He has also met former superstars in the city of Philadelphia, such as Wayne Simmonds from the Flyers. Though being a student-athlete, Luke enjoys his time where he is writing and reporting on Philadelphia sports.
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