There's Always Next Year Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers wrapped up their 2025-26 season series against the Columbus Blue Jackets on a familiar note Tuesday night at home, dropping a 3-2 decision to fall to 0-2-1 against their Metropolitan Division rivals.
It was a game of flashes and frustration. Sean Couturier got the Flyers on the board first with his eighth goal of the season, a wrister that gave Philly a 1-0 lead late in the opening period. Couturier also hit a personal milestone, reaching the 30-point mark for the 11th straight season (in games where he's played at least 30 contests). The veteran center continues to show why he's the heartbeat of this group, even as the team battles through another challenging campaign.
The second period belonged to Columbus. Mathieu Olivier and Zach Werenski (who added an assist on the night) scored 44 seconds apart early in the frame, flipping the script and handing the Blue Jackets a 2-1 advantage. Jet Greaves was sharp in net for Columbus, turning aside 24 of 26 shots for the win.
Philadelphia showed fight in the third when defenseman Jamie Drysdale buried his eighth goal of the season — a new single-season career high — to knot the score at 2-2. Drysdale now sits tied for the team lead in goals among blueliners, a bright spot in what has been a solid bounce-back year for the young defenseman.
But Columbus had the final say. Mason Marchment potted the eventual game-winner, and the Flyers couldn't find the equalizer despite some late push. Dan Vladar stopped 16 of 19 shots in the loss.
Beyond the scoreboard, there were plenty of silver linings to carry into the offseason:
- Trevor Zegras picked up his 34th assist of the year and has helpers in back-to-back games, continuing to show chemistry in the Flyers' top-six.
- Christian Dvorak notched his 28th assist, giving him 42 points on the season and tying him for third on the team in scoring.
- Luke Glendening and Rasmus Ristolainen each added an assist, chipping in with the gritty, reliable play that has defined their roles all year.
The Flyers head into the final stretch of the schedule with their heads up. Individual performances like Couturier's consistency, Drysdale's emergence as an offensive threat from the back end, and the continued development of younger pieces point to real progress beneath the surface.
Hockey seasons are long and unforgiving, and not every one ends with a playoff run. But nights like this — where effort is there, milestones are hit, and promising signs keep popping up — are exactly why fans stick with their team through the tough ones.
The core is building. The pieces are coming together. The passion in Philadelphia never wavers.
There's always next year. And when it arrives, this group will be ready to write a better chapter.
Jesse Bell / Olde City Sports Network
Photos Credit / Matt Perretta / Olde City Sports Network
