Heartbreaking Shootout Loss To Rangers
In what should have been a statement win for the Philadelphia Flyers—a explosive four-goal second period that showcased their offensive firepower and special teams prowess—the game ultimately exposed the glaring weakness that's plagued this team all season: Goaltender....Sam Ersson!
Facing the New York Rangers on December 20, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, the Flyers stormed back from a 1-0 deficit with a dominant middle frame. Travis Sanheim's power-play tally tied it, Owen Tippett buried a rebound for his 10th of the year, Trevor Zegras extended his point streak to seven games with another power-play marker (his team-leading 15th goal), and Rodrigo Abols added the Flyers' first shorthanded goal of the season. Rookie Denver Barkey, making his NHL debut, notched two assists in a memorable performance that harkened back to rare Flyers history.
It was the kind of outburst that could have buried a rival. The Flyers scored four goals in a single period for the second time this season and even tallied two in just 23 seconds—part of a league-leading trend. Yet, none of it mattered. Ersson allowed the Rangers to claw back with four regulation goals on just 27 shots, a paltry .852 save percentage that turned a potential regulation victory into a 5-4 shootout defeat.
Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network
Artemi Panarin beat him twice, including a far-side snipe that cut the lead to 3-2. Vincent Trocheck capitalized on a broken play early in the third. Mika Zibanejad's late power-play one-timer tied it with 2:34 left, erasing a two-goal advantage. And in the shootout, Ersson couldn't stop either Rangers attempt from Panarin or Trocheck, sealing the loss while Igor Shesterkin denied the Flyers' shooters.
This wasn't bad luck or overwhelming pressure—the Rangers managed only 27 shots total. Ersson simply failed to make the routine saves when his team needed them most. After the Flyers' second-period barrage put them up 4-2, he surrendered two third-period goals that flipped the momentum. It's a recurring theme: Ersson's inability to hold leads or steal points has become the Flyers' Achilles' heel.
The numbers this season paint a damning picture. Ersson's save percentage hovers in the low .880s range in many stretches, with a goals-against average often exceeding 3.00. He's consistently among the league's worst in goals saved above expected, and his performances in high-stakes divisional games like this one expose him as unreliable. While the Flyers boast exciting young talent like Zegras, Tippett, and now Barkey—players extending streaks and making history—Ersson's inconsistencies undermine it all.
Contrast him with Shesterkin, who faced 32 shots and stonewalled the Flyers despite their pressure. That's what a reliable No. 1 looks like. Ersson, meanwhile, has shown flashes but far too often crumbles under the workload or in critical moments. The Flyers have lost five of their last six, with four beyond regulation, and Ersson's play in net is a common denominator.
Philadelphia's front office can't ignore this any longer. With a capable backup tandem and prospects pushing, relying on Ersson as the primary option risks squandering the progress on the skaters' side. This loss wasn't just two points dropped—it was a reminder that until the goaltending stabilizes, the Flyers will keep finding ways to lose winnable games. Ersson's performance against the Rangers was indefensible, and it's time for serious questions about whether he can ever be the answer in net.
Jesse Bell/Olde City Sports Network
Photo Credit: Matt Perretta/Olde City Sports Network