The Philadelphia Flyers are hitting a wall at a tough time in the season. After dropping six straight games-five of them in regulation-they’ve slipped to a 22-17-8 record. That kind of skid would hurt at any point in the year, but with playoff positioning tightening across the Eastern Conference, this past week was especially brutal.
Let’s dig into what’s gone wrong, where the Flyers stand now, and what’s ahead as they try to stop the bleeding.
A Week to Forget: Flyers Outscored 22-9
The Flyers played four games last week-all against Eastern Conference opponents-and came away empty-handed. Worse yet, they were outscored 22-9 across those matchups. That’s not just a rough stretch-it’s a full-on collapse in all three zones.
It started in net. Dan Vladař, who’s quietly been one of the team’s most valuable pieces this season, went down with an injury in the first period of Wednesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
From that point forward, goaltending became a glaring weakness. The Flyers posted a save percentage of just .776 for the week.
To put it plainly, you’re not winning hockey games with that kind of goaltending. You're not even staying competitive.
But this wasn’t just about one injury or one position group. The defense looked increasingly disorganized, the offense lacked urgency, and special teams were a liability.
The power play failed to generate momentum, and the penalty kill couldn’t get the job done. This wasn’t a one-player issue-it was a collective unraveling.
Rodrigo Ābols Out, Lane Pederson In
The injury bug didn’t stop with Vladař. On Sunday, the Flyers placed center Rodrigo Ābols on injured reserve, which not only impacts the NHL roster but also cost him a spot on Team Latvia for the 2026 Winter Olympics. He’s been replaced on the Olympic roster by Rihards Bukarts, a tough blow for the 30-year-old who was hoping to represent his country on the world stage.
To fill the gap, the Flyers called up Lane Pederson from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley. Pederson has been productive this season, tallying 13 goals and 15 assists in 37 games. He’s spent time centering a line with top prospects Denver Barkey and Alex Bump-so there’s some existing chemistry to build on.
Still, the Flyers are banged up. Ābols joins a growing injury list that includes Bobby Brink and Rasmus Ristolainen, both still on IR.
Defenseman Hunter McDonald has been called up as well, signaling that the team is bracing for more time without some key pieces. Tyson Foerster remains out long-term, and Vladař is now considered day-to-day.
Injury Spotlight: Ristolainen and Vladař
Two names stand out in the current injury report.
Rasmus Ristolainen has had a tough go of it in Philly, and this season has been his most frustrating yet. He’s only appeared in 13 games so far in 2025-26. Despite the setback, he hasn’t been replaced on Finland’s Olympic roster, which could suggest a return before the break is still in play.
Then there’s Vladař. His return timeline is uncertain, but there’s real concern here.
Goaltending has been a stabilizing force for the Flyers this season, and if he comes back at less than 100 percent, it could spell more trouble. The Flyers are currently just two points clear of having the seventh-worst record in the NHL.
That’s how tight the margins are right now.
The Road Ahead: A Brutal Western Swing
If the Flyers are going to right the ship, they’ll have to do it on the road-and against some serious competition. Here’s what the upcoming week looks like:
- Mon., Jan. 19 @ Vegas Golden Knights (24-11-12) T-Mobile Arena is a tough building to walk into when you’re playing well-let alone when you’re riding a six-game losing streak.
- Wed., Jan. 21 @ Utah Mammoth (25-20-4) The Mammoth are no pushover. They’ve been quietly solid and can punish mistakes, especially on home ice.
- Fri., Jan. 23 @ Colorado Avalanche (33-5-8) No sugarcoating this one. The Avalanche are a juggernaut this season, and Ball Arena is one of the toughest places to play in the league.
This is a defining stretch for the Flyers. The injuries are piling up, the confidence is shaky, and the schedule isn’t doing them any favors.
But this is also when teams show what they’re made of. Can the Flyers rally and find a way to steal points in a tough road trip?
Or will this slide continue into the Olympic break?
We’re about to find out.