The Philadelphia Flyers closed out January with a script that’s become all too familiar lately: fall behind early, claw their way back, and come up just short. This time, they managed to force overtime, but the Los Angeles Kings had the final say. Quinton Byfield netted the game-winner in the extra frame, handing the Flyers a 3-2 loss on Saturday afternoon at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
That’s now four straight losses for the Flyers and 11 in their last 13. It’s a stretch that’s put a serious dent in their midseason momentum.
Kempe Strikes Early - Twice
The Kings wasted no time setting the tone. Just over three minutes in, a net-front scramble ended with Adrian Kempe pouncing on a loose puck and burying it for a 1-0 lead.
Less than four minutes later, Kempe struck again. This time, the Flyers were caught out of position, and Kempe made them pay with a laser from the high slot - his 20th goal of the season.
Los Angeles thought they had a third goal just 42 seconds later when Andrei Kuzmenko slipped one through Dan Vladar’s five-hole. But after a coach’s challenge, the goal was wiped off the board for offside - a much-needed break for a Flyers team on its heels early.
By the end of the first period, the Kings held a 10-6 edge in shots and a two-goal cushion on the scoreboard.
Flyers Find Life on the Power Play
Philadelphia came out of the first intermission with some urgency - and it paid off almost immediately. Just 39 seconds into the second period, the Flyers capitalized on the power play. Trevor Zegras capped off a crisp passing sequence with a finish from the slot, notching his 20th goal of the season and cutting the deficit in half.
The Flyers started to tilt the ice in their favor from there. By the end of two periods, they had taken a 16-14 lead in shots, and the energy inside Xfinity Mobile Arena had shifted.
Konecny Comes Through - But So Does the Crossbar
The third period couldn’t have started better for Philly. Just 25 seconds in, Rasmus Ristolainen fired a shot from the point that Travis Konecny managed to redirect past Darcy Kuemper. That marked Konecny’s 22nd goal of the season and pulled the Flyers even at 2-2.
From there, it was a tight, back-and-forth affair. Neither team could break through in regulation, and the Flyers entered overtime with a slight edge in shots, 21-20.
In OT, Konecny nearly played hero. He got loose on a breakaway and beat Kuemper - but not the iron. His shot rang off the crossbar, a few inches away from ending the game.
Instead, it was the Kings who capitalized. About a minute later, Quinton Byfield got his chance and didn’t miss, scoring his 10th of the season to seal the win for Los Angeles.
Goaltending and Key Performers
Dan Vladar stopped 18 of 21 shots in the loss for the Flyers, while Kuemper turned aside 19 of 21 to earn the win for the Kings.
Kempe was the standout performer for L.A., finishing with a three-point night (two goals and an assist). Corey Perry chipped in with two assists, continuing to provide veteran presence and playmaking. For the Flyers, Konecny led the way with a goal and an assist, continuing his strong season despite the team’s recent struggles.
What’s Next
The Flyers will look to regroup quickly. They’re back on home ice Tuesday night for a matchup against the Washington Capitals, a game that now carries even more weight as they try to halt this skid and get back on track.
The effort was there against the Kings - the comeback, the chances, the push in overtime - but the result was the same. And as the calendar flips to February, the Flyers are still searching for answers.