The Philadelphia Flyers have just wrapped up a whirlwind week that saw them play three games around a well-earned four-day holiday break, and the results have fans buzzing with cautious optimism as the team approaches the halfway mark of the 2025-26 NHL season. With two wins against the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks, and a tough loss to the Seattle Kraken, the Flyers now sit firmly in third place in the Metropolitan Division, boasting 45 points and a points percentage of .608. That record ties them with division leader Carolina for the fewest regulation losses in the Eastern Conference at 11—a stat that speaks volumes about their resilience this season.
It all began with a dominant 5-2 victory over the Canucks on December 22, where the Flyers’ reimagined fourth line of Nikita Grebenkin, Rodrigo Abols, and Carl Grundstrom stole the spotlight. This trio, which has only recently come together, combined for two goals in that game, immediately making their presence felt. Grebenkin, in particular, showcased his puck protection skills and net-front tenacity, notching a goal and an assist—his best performance yet as an NHL player. As one observer put it, "There’s actually some offensive tools on that line now, with the puck protection of Grebenkin and the shot of Grundstrom giving the Flyers some real quality on the fourth line."
The very next night, the Flyers traveled to Chicago and gutted out a 3-1 win over the Blackhawks. Goaltender Sam Ersson delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, stopping 20 of 21 shots. While Ersson’s season-long save percentage sits at an unsightly .872, performances like this are keeping him in the mix for the backup job. According to team evaluations, "Just when it looks like Ersson’s job as the No. 2 might be in jeopardy, he manages to have a strong game—including Dec. 23, when he stopped 20 of 21 shots in a win over the Chicago Blackhawks."
Travis Konecny, one of the team’s most dynamic forwards, also had a standout week. He racked up a goal and two assists over the three games, continuing a trend of strong play since being united with Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak. Konecny’s chemistry with Zegras was on full display during the Chicago game, where a slick feed from Zegras set up Konecny’s goal. Later in that contest, Konecny added a power-play assist, feeding Noah Cates for a crucial tally. It’s clear that Konecny is settling into head coach Rick Tocchet’s offensive system, and his recent production is right in line with expectations—even as his overall goal total (11) has left some wanting more.
Zegras himself has been nothing short of electric since joining the Flyers, maintaining a point-per-game pace with 37 points in 37 outings. His ability to drive play and keep the puck alive in the offensive zone has made him a key part of the Flyers’ top line. Center Christian Dvorak, meanwhile, is on pace to shatter his previous career high in points, with 24 in 36 games. Rumors are swirling that the Flyers are looking to extend Dvorak soon, with insiders suggesting a deal could be struck as early as January if the term is right.
But perhaps the most pleasant surprise has been the new fourth line. Since the benching of Garnet Hathaway—a mainstay who, despite his leadership qualities, had zero points in 33 games and a minus-8 rating—Grebenkin, Abols, and Grundstrom have injected much-needed energy and offense. Grundstrom, acquired in the Ryan Ellis salary dump, has made the most of his opportunity, notching six goals in just 11 games and extending his goal streak to three games with an empty-netter against Chicago and another tally in the loss to Seattle. "Who would have ever thought the Flyers would get a useful player back in the Ryan Ellis salary dump? Credit Grundström for taking advantage of his opportunity and giving the Flyers’ fourth line the kind of boost the coaching staff has been looking for," reads one glowing review.
Rodrigo Abols, too, is trending upward, with five of his six points this season coming in December after joining the reworked fourth line. As for Grebenkin, his one-goal, one-assist performance against Vancouver was a clear sign that he’s adjusting to the NHL game. The trio’s ability to maintain pressure and contribute offensively has allowed Tocchet to roll all four lines with confidence, even in tight situations—a luxury not seen in Philadelphia for years.
Denver Barkey, though he didn’t register a point during the week, drew praise for his relentless play and knack for drawing penalties. His energy was especially noticeable in the Seattle game, where he blocked a shot, led a rush, and earned a penalty on a mini-breakaway. Barkey’s fearless style did result in a brief injury scare against Chicago, but he quickly returned to action, much to the relief of Flyers fans and coaches alike. "Relentless, all-three-zones hockey from Barkey is going to endear him to Rick Tocchet, and that’s exactly what we saw from him this week," noted a team observer.
On the blue line, Travis Sanheim continues to log heavy minutes—averaging 24:44 per game, good for 10th in the NHL—and is a major reason why the Flyers rank ninth in goals against per game (2.78). Cam York, benefiting from the coaching change, has 15 points in 30 games and is poised to surpass his career high. Jamie Drysdale has also contributed with three goals and 17 points, though his power-play output remains a work in progress.
Elsewhere, veterans like Sean Couturier and Nick Seeler are doing the little things right, with Couturier boasting a team-leading 57 percent expected goals share and Seeler adjusting well to the new defensive system. Noah Cates, an effective third-line center, is on pace for a career-best season, particularly with his power-play contributions. Meanwhile, the Flyers await the return of promising young forward Tyson Foerster, who could be back in time for a playoff push if the team continues its strong play.
With the Flyers firmly in the playoff hunt and several players exceeding expectations, the mood in Philadelphia is one of measured excitement. The new fourth line is clicking, the top line is producing, and the defense is holding strong. If the team can maintain this level of performance—and perhaps get a few key players back healthy—there’s every reason to believe that the Orange and Black could be playing meaningful hockey well into the spring.
