Flyers Lose to Ottawa in Lazy Performance Before Olympic Break
Feb 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Ottawa Senators center Tim StŸtzle (18) scores the game-winning goal past Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (80) in overtime at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
In the final game before the Olympic break, the Philadelphia Flyers played host to the Ottawa Senators for the last time this year, where they would ultimately fall to the season sweep, dropping all three games to the Sens. Though all of the losses were close, this loss showed little effort or skill from the Flyers. Throughout the 60 minutes, the Senators gave the Flyers many chances, but the Flyers were unable to cash in on any of them and fell in overtime, 2-1.
The Flyers not only failed to capitalize on Ottawa’s turnovers but also generated little offense outside of that, as they finished the game with 16 shots total, two in the first period. With Daniel Vladar keeping the Flyers in this game the whole way through, the offense didn’t make anything of it, that is, until Vladar left the bench, giving the Flyers the extra attacker with a little over a minute left, where Jamie Drysdale would pot a huge goal in back-to-back games with a goal. In the end, the Flyers fell in overtime.
Vladar Stands Tall
Vladar, who made the Czech team for the upcoming Winter Olympics, showed tonight why he deserves that spot. With the offense struggling for most of the game, it was Vladar who was there to keep the Senators to only one goal during regulation. Without him in net, who knows if the Flyers are still in the game in the third period, let alone get a point.
Tonight, Vladar saw 27 shots and saved 25 of them, letting in the overtime chance against Tim Stutzle.
Flyers Offense Struggles to Get Past Veteran Goaltender
The Flyers faced 37-year-old goaltender James Reimer tonight, who came in with two wins in just six games. He also had a goals against average of 3.22 and a save percentage of .861 percent. With the Flyers coming off a win with scoring four goals, for a long time, they were shut out by the veteran, showing the inconsistency and struggles of the Flyers’ offense. After wins and great performances, the Flyers have had three 2-1 overtime losses this season at home.
If the Flyers want to make a push after the break, they need to not only come out strong against the Washington Capitals, but they also need to be strong against the next in line. This team cannot, at the moment, find ways to go off of great performances, which showed tonight with the struggling offense and shaky defense. Whether it’s a result of skills or mental toughness, consistency builds up good hockey teams and gets them into April Hockey.
Back-to-Back for Drysdale
One of the newest Flyers to reach a streak is Flyers’ defenseman Drysdale, who has now scored two clutch goals in his last two games. Tuesday night, Drysdale broke the tie late in the game against the Capitals, with not just any goal, but a power play goal, which would ultimately be the game-winning goal.
Tonight, with a little over a minute, Drysdale, once again, came up in the clutch with a goal with the extra attacker and the goaltender pulled. The ability to find the seam on the wrist shot in that situation shows how red hot he can really be coming back from the break.
This streak for Drysdale means a lot, though, as last year Jamie caught fire late in the year. If Drysdale can go on another hot streak, this time earlier, then the Flyers can truly experience what the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft can really do, only adding onto his career-best defensive season. Drysdale can be a valuable piece to the squad.
Flyers’ Hope to Use Break to Reset
With only three Flyers seeing action for the next few weeks (Travis Sanheim, Vladar, and Rasmus Ristolainen), the Flyers have a massive break coming up for them, which they need to take advantage of. They will come back on February 25th to take on the Capitals in DC.
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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