It only took 10 games to figure it out, but the Flyers have finally won their first game of the season. They had already set the franchise record for a winless streak to start the season, but they won’t set the NHL record after a 3-1 victory over the Senators.
There was a lot to like from this one aside from the final score. They were actively winning battles and outshooting another team. Sometimes the bare minimum is a win. And for the Flyers, it’s a step in the right direction.
Shots, shots, and more shots
A lot has been made about the Flyers lack of shots early in the season. Oftentimes, they would go long stretches without a shot on net, and even when they could sustain offensive pressure, most of it wasn’t dangerous. Six of their 10 games this season saw them finish with under 20 shots, and more than a few times they were doubled up in shots.
Their 28 shots against the Senators were their second-most this season. Coincidentally, it was also Ottawa where the Flyers posted a season-high 29 shots. Their 14 shots in the first period were the most they’ve been credited with in a single period.
They only had four shots in the third, which is something they’ll need to work on. It was evident at times they were playing prevent defense and Ottawa had its fair share of pressure. But for now, we’ll take it.
The kids are alright
Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone are two pieces the Flyers should be building around. The talk there has been the ice time being distributed between Philadelphia’s veterans and its youth. Neither saw the ice in the final seven or so minutes of the game as the Flyers clung to the one-goal lead. That’s a discussion for another day, though.
Those two were the spark the Flyers needed to get their first win of the season. It’s evident in the budding chemistry they have developed with each other. Both had multi-point games, each with a goal and assist.
Magic from Marty and Mich. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/3vcORJhosu
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) October 18, 2026
Michkov leads the team in goals and points, while Martone is now third in goals and second in points. It’s early to talk about that, especially with how much the offense has struggled, but it’s a positive sign from two of the most important forwards.
Vladar shuts the door
Dan Vladar didn’t have the start to the season that he wanted. He was far from the problems, as the team in front of him left him out to dry more often than not. But there’s no doubt he needed a victory just as badly as the team did.
And he looked like the goaltender that backstopped the Flyers to the second round of the playoffs last season. He made more than a few big saves to settle things down, finishing with 25 saves on 26 shots. The only goal he gave up came on a 2-on-1 where he had no real chance of making the save. He had to make 11 of those saves in the third period and with the Flyers not getting the empty netter until late, they needed all of those saves.
Joseph Woll has been challenging him with some equally as strong play, but this game was more evidence as to why this is still Vladar’s net.
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