Flyers’ Losing Streak Continues, Lose Embarrassingly to the Penguins
Jan 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Connor Clifton (75) moves the puck ahead of Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Flyers, on the second half of a back-to-back, entered Pittsburgh in hopes of getting back on their feet, as they had lost four in a row coming into tonight, three in a row in regulation time. Playing the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Flyers could not risk extending their losing streak against their long-time rivals in the Penguins, as Sidney Crosby and others continue to torture Philadelphia, and have for the last two decades.
Tonight was no different, however, as the Penguins were able to put up six goals against two different goaltenders for Philadelphia, as head coach Rick Tocchet decided to pull starting goaltender Samuel Ersson for recently recalled Aleksei Kolosov in hopes of keeping the Flyers in the game.
The Flyers, though scoring three goals, were not able to put up a decent fight with the Pens, as they went down 6-3, and have lost their second of three against Pittsburgh this season. The Flyers have now lost five-straight games, continuing their worst stretch of the season.
Ersson Gets Pulled in What Could be Last Start in a Flyers Uniform
With Ersson having already played a chunk of action last night, as Daniel Vladar suffered an injury and was not able to return for the second period of play in Buffalo against the Sabres, starting tonight in the back-to-back did not help the struggling goaltender, as Ersson coughed up three goals in the first period and the start of the second period. The Flyers decided to pull the trigger after three, bringing in Kolosov, who could very soon be replacing Ersson as the second goalie in the depth chart.
Even though Rodrigo Abols had tallied the first goal for the Flyers on a deflection from the shot of Cam York, Tocchet was still unsatisfied and decided to take Ersson out of the pipes early in the second period. Though Ersson has not been playing good hockey at all, this choice may be due to the fact that Ersson had played two periods of hockey just last night, meaning this choice could have been in Tocchet’s mind well before Ersson had given up any goals.
Kolosov, who had been tearing it up in the American Hockey League, struggled tonight against the Penguins in his first game since early November, and just his 20th career National Hockey League game. On 14 shots, Kolosov let in three goals, tying Ersson on the night. Though this is disappointing, the Flyers may be rolling with a new look in net, as Kolosov was obviously rusty, and Ersson has only looked lost.
Flyers’ Penalty Kill Disappears
One of the strengths for the Flyers these last three seasons has been the penalty kill, or what had once been referred to as the “power kill,” which led the NHL in short-handed goals in the 2023-2024 NHL season. The penalty kill was a big aspect of the early-season success for the Flyers, who had held second place in the Metropolitan Division for a chunk of time. With a struggling power play that cannot find a rhythm, the kill was able to bail it out and help win the Flyers those close games.
To start the season, the Flyers were able to reach tops in the NHL on the penalty kill, with a percentage over 85 to start the year. This valuable stat for the Flyers has seen a rapid decline, showing a lack of skating ability and other aspects that affect the kill. After tonight, the Flyers’ penalty kill has dropped to 77 percent, as the Flyers have let another two goals on the other team’s power play.
Along with the other struggling aspects of the Philadelphia Flyers, it is a shame to see the penalty kill fall off, as they have had such success on that side of the special teams units.
Michkov Leaves Pittsburgh, Ending His Goalless Drought
To end a disappointing game on the bright side, Flyers’ forward Matvei Michkov has gotten into double figures on the year with his tenth goal this season. It’s his first with a netminder since November 29 against the Devils.
Michkov also stuck up for rookie Denver Barkey, getting into a fight after Barkey was decked. Michkov has had a rough stretch, and he took some anger out while also sticking up for the youngster.
With the game not in reach for the Flyers, Michkov was able to win puck battles, skate hard, and give himself and the guys around him a little pride to take into Saturday, as they host the New York Rangers for a matinee matchup in South Philadelphia.
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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