Flyers Down Ducks 5-2

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks continued their road trip in Philadelphia against the Flyers. Lukas Dostal was in net against Daniel Vladar. Anaheim deployed a 11-7 lineup with Ryan Strome being a healthy scratch.

The Ducks went on a power play in the opening minutes of the first period and Cutter Gauthier scored. He scored on a one-timer from just above the right circle.

The Flyers would answer back with two goals by Trevor Zegras. He received a pass from Christian Dvorak on a rush and put a shot over the glove of Dostal from the right face-off circle.

Zegras then scored a few minutes later with a similar shot in the same spot while on the power play. Philadelphia led 2-1 after the first period.

In the second period, the Flyers scored two more times to make it a 4-1 lead. Cameron York scored on a long range shot from the point just over a minute into the period.

A little over a minute later Ross Johnston was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for interference after colliding with Jamie Drysdale. The Ducks killed off the major penalty. Drysdale went to the locker room after the collision and did not return in this contest.

Later in the period Travis Sanheim scored on a one-timer from the top of the right circle off a face-off.

The Ducks went on a power play early in the third period and Alex Killorn scored in close from the left circle to make it a 4-2 contest.

Garnet Hathaway laid a big hit on Ian Moore at close to the eight minute mark. Radko Gudas took exception and he dropped the gloves with Hathaway.

Anaheim pulled Dostal in the final minutes, but Nikita Grebenkin scored into the empty net to make it a 5-2 score, which was the final.

Analysis:

This game had a similar feel to the one the night before. The Ducks scored first, but then the Flyers rattled off four goals in a row. Anaheim responded with one goal, but couldn’t complete a comeback.

The Ducks did score twice on the power play in three attempts, but that was about the only thing which went right for them in this contest.

The Ducks posted a CF% of 55.56% and FF% of 53.06% at even strength, which was only just over 36 minutes in this contest. Anaheim was shorthanded eight times, including a five minute major levied against Johnston when he collided with Drysdale. The play was reviewed and the call was upheld. The play did not appear to warrant a major penalty. Anaheim ended up playing almost two thirds of the contest with just 10 forwards.

The Flyers ended up with 39 shots on goal to just 18 for the Ducks. Philadelphia also blocked 22 shots which one  key to their success.

This was the first meeting for Zegras against his old team since the trade. After the first goal he took off his right glove and acted like he took a phone call then hung up abruptly. He told the media it was in a reference to his trade call with Pat Verbeek and how short the conversation was. Zegras ended up getting the last laugh tonight.

Team Notes/Stats:

Prior to the game the Ducks placed Nikita Nesterenko on waivers.

Ville Husso was brought up as an emergency recall because Petr Mrazek got injured in the second period of the game last night against the Capitals.

Ryan Strome was a healthy scratch despite the team only have 12 forwards, so a 11-7 lineup was utilized in this contest. It seems like Strome’s time as a Duck may come to an end soon. There has been talk of the Ducks being interested in Andrew Mangiapane and whether Strome could be part of a deal for him.

The Ducks are 12-4-0 when scoring first this season.

Anaheim has lost seven games (0-6-1) in a row. They are currently out of a playoff spot, though just three points behind first place in the Pacific Division.

What’s Next?

Ducks travel to Carolina to face the Hurricanes on Thursday at 4 PM.

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January 6th, 2026