Lightning Sweep Season Series Against Flyers, Lose Back to Back to Tampa
Jan 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Jake Guentzel (59) deflects a shot for a goal against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (55) in the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
After a rough Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, letting in seven goals into a tended net, the Flyers returned home this Monday night against the Lightning once again.
With Samuel Ersson getting the start last time around, the Flyers wanted to give the Lightning a different look after the 7-2 massacre that occurred two nights ago.
The Flyers were not able to get their revenge on a team that had already beaten them twice this season coming into tonight, once in a shutout. Even with Daniel Vladar, the better of the two goalies, getting the nod tonight, Tampa was able to jump on the Flyers without them knowing it was coming, as they were able to score off the jump more than once. With the Flyers now losing three games in a row, they hope to move on and forget about the 5-1 loss tonight. For Tampa, it was their 10th straight win.
Lightning Strikes Early
The early jump by Tampa Bay was not only scoring the first goal or scoring the second goal, but rather the fact that the first two goals were early in the first and second periods.
To open up the game, the Lightning scored the early goal just one minute and ten seconds into the game. This is the kind of start you cannot give to the Lightning, with their elite offense and goaltending. If Tampa is able to get the lead off the jump, staying in the game becomes a lot harder, especially since you now have to cool down the offense of the Lightning, consisting of stars such as Nikita Kucherov, Anthony Cirelli, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, and the notorious Flyers killer, Jake Guentzel. Coming back would obviously not be impossible, but giving up the first one just over a minute into action certainly doesn’t help at all.
After the Flyers were able to cease the offense of the Lightning, Tampa was able to repeat their success from the first period as they took a two-goal lead just 33 seconds into the second period. A goal from the former Penguin Guentzel was able to give the Lightning a lead that only a team like them can be happy with. This is not something the Flyers have been prone to, especially with Vladar in the net.
Christian Dvorak Nets Lone Goal for the Flyers
To avoid getting shutout by the Lightning for the second time this year, the Flyers were able to put up a goal on the sheet in the second period, courtesy of the newly inked Dvorak, who had recently extended in Philadelphia for another five seasons. Though the Flyers would ultimately stay at one goal, getting Dvorak back on the board is huge, especially with the injuries and absences of guys who aren’t stepping up.
Even though the goal didn’t mean a whole lot towards the game in the end, seeing Dvorak rip a beautiful wrister short-side on the rush was a refreshing sight.
With that goal, Dvorak is now in double figures, as he is the seventh Flyer to reach 10 or more goals. Dvorak looks to continue to add value back into his contract.
Flyers Look to Get it Back Wednesday Night
After three rough losses against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning (twice), the Flyers can only move on and hope injuries do not affect the team any more than they have already.
The Flyers visit the red-hot Buffalo Sabres, who are now tied with the Flyers at 52 points each. The only thing the Flyers can do is get back to their known game and forget about these last few games.
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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