The Flyers hit the Olympic break on the heels of a 2-1 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators, closing out a 56-game stretch with a record of 25-20-11. It’s a much-needed breather for some - the kind of pause where players can heal up, reset mentally, and gear up for the final playoff push.
But not everyone’s thrilled to be stepping away. A few Flyers have been red-hot lately, and for them, this break might feel more like a speed bump than a reprieve.
Let’s take a closer look at three players who’ve been surging as of late - and who probably wouldn’t mind skipping the Olympic intermission altogether.
Travis Konecny: Playing Like a Man on a Mission
Travis Konecny didn’t exactly come flying out of the gates this season. He had his share of bumps and bruises, and the early goings were a bit uneven. But since the calendar flipped to 2026, Konecny has looked like a different player - sharper, more assertive, and clearly dialed in.
In the new year, Konecny has racked up nine goals and nine assists for 18 points. He’s been held off the scoresheet in just five games during that span, and at one point, he strung together four straight multi-point performances. That kind of consistency - especially when the rest of the roster has had its ups and downs - stands out.
One performance that really encapsulates Konecny’s current form came on January 28 against Columbus. Not fully healthy, he still managed to drag the Flyers back into the game with a hat trick. It wasn’t enough for the win, but it was a statement - the kind of effort that says, “I’m not letting this season slip away without a fight.”
Whether it’s the drive to finally break through and end the Flyers’ playoff drought, or the sting of being left off Team Canada’s Olympic roster, something has clearly lit a fire under Konecny. And it’s showing in every shift. He’s stepping up when others are fading, and that kind of leadership - both in production and presence - is exactly what this team will need when the final 26 games resume on February 25.
Owen Tippett: The Flyers’ Barometer
If you’re trying to gauge how the Flyers are playing on any given night, look no further than Owen Tippett. When he’s going, the team usually is too.
When he’s quiet, the Flyers tend to struggle. It’s that simple.
Tippett has been a force lately, and it’s not just the scoring - though that’s been there too. His speed has become a true weapon, and his physicality is starting to resemble that of a classic power forward. He’s not just skating around defenders anymore; he’s going through them.
The numbers back it up. In the Flyers’ 25 wins leading into the break, Tippett has 14 goals and 11 assists and is a +13.
In their losses? Just five goals, five assists, and a rough -20.
That’s a stark contrast and speaks volumes about his impact. He’s not just contributing - he’s driving outcomes.
With 35 points so far, Tippett is just one goal away from matching last season’s total, and with 26 games left, he’s on pace to surpass his previous career highs in both goals and points. A 30- to 35-goal season isn’t just possible - it’s looking likely. And for a player who entered the year with a few question marks about his ceiling, Tippett is answering them loud and clear.
He looks like a long-term piece now - a guy who can be part of the core moving forward. And if he keeps this up after the break, he might just help push the Flyers over the playoff line.
Jamie Drysdale: Quietly Taking a Big Step
Jamie Drysdale may not be making highlight reels every night, but don’t let that fool you - he’s having a quietly impressive season, and the signs of real growth are starting to show.
Through 53 games, Drysdale has five goals and 18 assists for 23 points. That already puts him ahead of last season’s total of 20 points, and he’s on pace to set new career highs across the board. But it’s not just the offense that’s turning heads - it’s the defensive strides that really stand out.
Last season, Drysdale finished with a brutal -32 rating. This year?
He’s trimmed that down to -6. That kind of improvement doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s a sign of better decision-making, stronger positioning, and a more complete understanding of the game at the NHL level.
He’s also starting to show up in big moments. He scored goals this past week against Washington and Ottawa, including a clutch game-tying tally late against the Senators with the goalie pulled. That kind of poise under pressure is exactly what you want to see from a young defenseman trying to establish himself as a top-four mainstay.
Drysdale’s also chipped in on the power play with a goal and four assists - no small feat considering how much the Flyers’ special teams have struggled. He’s becoming a steady presence, and you get the sense he’s just scratching the surface.
Looking Ahead
The Olympic break gives the Flyers a chance to regroup, but for Konecny, Tippett, and Drysdale, it might feel like hitting pause at the wrong time. All three have found their stride, and their recent play has been a big reason why Philadelphia is still in the playoff conversation.
When the puck drops again on February 25, the Flyers will have 26 games to prove they belong in the postseason. If these three keep trending the way they have, they’ll give Philly a real shot to break the streak and get back to playoff hockey.