Flyers Soar Into Holiday Break
Philadelphia Flyers Shine Bright in Chicago, Heading into Christmas with Momentum and Third Place in the East
On a festive eve before the NHL's holiday pause, the Philadelphia Flyers delivered an early gift to their fans with a dominant 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on December 23, 2025. Playing the second game of a back-to-back, the Flyers showcased their depth, resilience, and star power to secure two crucial points, improving their impressive standing as they enter the break with the third-most points in the Eastern Conference.
Travis Konecny led the charge with a goal and an assist, including a milestone 300th career assist that highlighted his growing legacy with the Orange and Black. The dynamic forward opened the scoring in the first period, tapping in a precise cross-ice pass from Trevor Zegras just moments after a successful penalty kill. Konecny's multi-point performance marked his team-leading eighth of the season, underscoring why he's a cornerstone of this exciting Flyers squad.
Trevor Zegras continued his scorching hot streak, assisting on Konecny's opener to extend his point run to nine games (5 goals, 6 assists). Only Connor McDavid boasts a longer active streak league-wide, a testament to Zegras' seamless integration and electrifying play since joining Philadelphia. His vision and creativity have injected new life into the Flyers' attack, making him a fan favorite and a key driver of the team's success.
Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network
In the second period, Noah Cates added a beautiful power-play tally, muscling his way to the net and finishing off a slick setup from Konecny. Cates' goal stretched his own point streak to four games, putting him just one shy of tying his career high. The gritty forward's contributions on special teams have been a boon for the Flyers, adding balance and timely scoring.
Carl Grundstrom sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the third, his fifth since becoming a lineup staple on December 9 – tying him with Zegras for the team lead in that span. Grundstrom's hard-nosed style and finishing touch have provided valuable depth scoring, perfectly complementing the Flyers' top lines.
Captain Sean Couturier chipped in with two assists, bringing his season total to 16 and demonstrating his elite two-way play. In net, Samuel Ersson was stellar, turning aside 20 of 21 shots for the win, providing the calm presence that has become his hallmark.
Despite a late push from Chicago, including a goal from Ryan Donato, the Flyers' structured defense and opportunistic offense proved too much for the injury-plagued Blackhawks. This victory – the Flyers' second straight – caps a strong pre-break stretch and positions Philadelphia firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture with momentum on their side.
As the team heads into the holiday break, there's plenty to celebrate in Flyers Nation: rising stars shining, veterans delivering, and a roster clicking on all cylinders. The future looks bright in Philadelphia, and fans can't wait to see what 2026 brings.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Flyers – here's to more wins in the new year!
Jesse Bell/Olde City Sports Network
Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network
