Flyers Dig Early Hole, Rally Late, and Still Can’t Solve Overtime in Loss to Kings
Jan 31, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A scuffle breaks out between the Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings in the first period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Flyers dug themselves another hole they did not need, and once again spent the rest of the afternoon trying to climb out of it. A flat first period put them behind early against the Kings, forcing a desperate chase that eventually ended the same familiar way, a hard-earned point overshadowed by missed opportunity and another overtime letdown in a 3-2 overtime loss.
The Los Angeles Kings arrived in Philadelphia for some matinee hockey today, and they have been playing pretty good hockey as well. The Flyers, on the other hand, are in the midst of their worst stretch this season, hoping something clicks because they are sliding down the standings, and the team seems to have no answers right now.
The first period today was not the best showing for the Flyers; they looked lackluster and slow to start the game. They looked like they were sleepwalking in the first period, but the Kings were playing with effort, and the Flyers were getting out-hustled, and that is not something that we’ve seen too much, and the early start can’t be an excuse. The Kings traveled to Philly, and they came out firing, especially Adrian Kempe, who had 2 goals in the first.
The Flyers came out roaring in the second period, after all of the lackadaisical effort to the puck in the first, they came out as a team possessed. This included a power play goal by Trevor Zegras after some crisp passing by Bobby Brink and Travis Konecny, which hasn’t happened much for the Flyers so far this season.
The third period started fast with a Konecny goal in the first 30 seconds of the period off a redirected Rasmus Ristolainen.
The third period was the most competitive, with the Flyers settling into their rhythm, keeping the Kings on their heels, and not able to get clean looks at the net. The third period ended tied at 2, and in the overtime period, the Kings kept possession and ended up getting a game-winning goal from Quinton Byfield. There was a little excitement when it looked like the game was over on a Konecny hit the post on a breakaway, where the horn went off, but he did hit the post. This was a loss where they could have won, but the start put them behind, and though they battled back, and they got a point, this ended up with an OT loss 3-2
Flyers Power Play Improving
The Flyers’ power play finally looked like a unit with a plan instead of five guys waiting for something to break loose. The puck moved with purpose against the Kings, especially up top, where decisions were quicker, and lanes stayed active instead of freezing after the first read. Entries were cleaner, the setup came faster, and the group avoided the familiar habit of overhandling until shooting windows disappeared. You could see the confidence starting to come back, not because everything worked, but because the reads were there and the puck kept moving before the penalty kill could reset. The Zegras’ goal was from the accurate passes, which were on time and were hitting the target.
The passing was the real tell. This was not blind perimeter movement or low percentage cross ice looks that get picked off and sent the other way. The Flyers made short, connected passes that pulled the Kings out of formation, opening seams for quick touches into the slot and shots with traffic instead of desperation bombs from the point. That’s how the power play needs to build rhythm, and that rhythm showed as the game went on. It still needs to be sharper, but this looked like progress you can build on instead of another empty two minutes that killed momentum when they needed it most.
Vladar Stabilized the Flyers After Two Early Goals
Daniel Vladar settled things down before the game could completely get away from the Flyers. After two early goals, both of which came off broken coverage and left him exposed, he made a point to slow the pace and control rebounds, which has been one of his strengths. The saves weren’t flashy, but they were timely, especially during the secondary pushes from the Kings when the Flyers were still finding their legs. You can see the difference in how the defense reacts when he is on the ice and when he is on like he was today, the puck sticks to him, and second chance shots aren’t available to the rush.
What mattered most was how Vladar controlled the middle of the game. He stayed patient and took away the second chances that have burned this team all season. The Flyers were able to clean up their structure in front of him because he gave them the time to do it, and that changed the tone of the night. After those first two goals, the Kings stopped getting easy looks, and the Flyers stopped playing like they were chasing the game. That kind of goaltending does not steal headlines, but it keeps a bad start from turning into a long game.
Overtime Has Become An Issue
Overtime four on four is quietly turning into a problem for the Flyers, and it showed again in this one. They are 2-7 now in the overtime 3-on-3 period. When there are fewer people on the ice, the way the Flyers control space changes, and what should be controlled possession hockey turns into survival mode far too quickly. That’s what happened today: the Kings controlled possession and kept the puck moving in the wrong direction for the Flyers. Instead of using the extra ice to get clearer passing lanes, the Flyers end up defending longer than they should, often after one rushed decision or a failed clear that hands momentum away. In these moments, the structure that holds them together at five on five seems to disappear.
The bigger issue is patience. Four on four is about puck management and timing, not forcing offense through traffic or trying to end the game on a slight scoring chance. The Flyers are still playing overtime like it is a scramble instead of a chess match, and good teams make you pay for that like Los Angeles did today. Until they slow the game down and trust their spacing, overtime will keep feeling like a ticking time bomb rather than an opportunity to take control and closeout a second point.
Steve Hamilton
Steve may have been born in California, but don’t let that fool you. After dating a local woman and clashing with her and her family over sports for decades, he has an affinity for Philly sports. Balancing love for Philly and Bay Area sports teams may seem impossible, we can all agree that the Cowboys are the true evil.
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