PHILADELPHIA - The Xfinity Mobile Arena was charged Monday night -not just for the home opener environment, but because the Flyers achieved their first win of the 2025-26 season, defeating the defending-champion Florida Panthers 5-2. Sean Couturier led the charge with a two-goal, two-assist effort, the type of game that veteran players employ to carve their legacy.
This was also Rick Tocchet's first win behind the Flyers bench, a marker reached more through poetry than process.
First Period - Flyers Score First
Philadelphia played from start to finish in this opening period to get set. Florida surrendered a zone turnover for an early chance: Couturier deflected a clearing attempt, the puck lay back out to Tyson Foerster, who sent it home at 8:54 to give Philly the lead.
Florida pushed back with pressure, particularly on one two-on-one shorthanded breakaway, but Dan Vladar closed out the chance post-to-post - a save which, in hindsight, proved to be important in swing-momentum early.
Second Period - Couturier, Then a Pushback
Near the end of the first half of the frame, Philadelphia doubled their lead. Travis Konecny carried the puck into the zone and fed Couturier on a breakaway. Couturier didn't miss - wrist shot by Daniil Tarasov to make it 2–0.
Just as the Flyers were getting into a groove, Florida came back with flair. At 38 seconds left in the period, Sam Reinhart jumped on a loose puck behind the net and beat Vladar on a wraparound, tying the score 2–1 at intermission.
Third Period - Tension, Then the Blow Open
The third began as a chess match, and Florida wasn't waiting long to strike again. On a power play, Sam Bennett tallied at 10:15, evening the score to 2–2. Florida's top lines were showing why they've won a number of Cups in the past few years.
But the Flyers were not done. With 4:10 remaining, Trevor Zegras, in back of the Florida net, dangled a backhand pass between skates to Couturier, who one-timed it home past the goalie. That one was the dagger.
When Florida yanked Tarasov for the sixth attacker, the floodgates opened. Bobby Brink laid in an empty-netter with 2:17 left; soon after, Christian Dvorak got into the party with the 5-2 final.
This was also Rick Tocchet's first win behind the Flyers bench, a marker reached more through poetry than process.
First Period - Flyers Score First
Philadelphia played from start to finish in this opening period to get set. Florida surrendered a zone turnover for an early chance: Couturier deflected a clearing attempt, the puck lay back out to Tyson Foerster, who sent it home at 8:54 to give Philly the lead.
Florida pushed back with pressure, particularly on one two-on-one shorthanded breakaway, but Dan Vladar closed out the chance post-to-post - a save which, in hindsight, proved to be important in swing-momentum early.
Second Period - Couturier, Then a Pushback
Near the end of the first half of the frame, Philadelphia doubled their lead. Travis Konecny carried the puck into the zone and fed Couturier on a breakaway. Couturier didn't miss - wrist shot by Daniil Tarasov to make it 2–0.
Just as the Flyers were getting into a groove, Florida came back with flair. At 38 seconds left in the period, Sam Reinhart jumped on a loose puck behind the net and beat Vladar on a wraparound, tying the score 2–1 at intermission.
Third Period - Tension, Then the Blow Open
The third began as a chess match, and Florida wasn't waiting long to strike again. On a power play, Sam Bennett tallied at 10:15, evening the score to 2–2. Florida's top lines were showing why they've won a number of Cups in the past few years.
But the Flyers were not done. With 4:10 remaining, Trevor Zegras, in back of the Florida net, dangled a backhand pass between skates to Couturier, who one-timed it home past the goalie. That one was the dagger.
When Florida yanked Tarasov for the sixth attacker, the floodgates opened. Bobby Brink laid in an empty-netter with 2:17 left; soon after, Christian Dvorak got into the party with the 5-2 final.
Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead
This game matters outside of the scoreboard. For Philadelphia, it is a template for identity: play hard, forecheck, protect your goalie, and be tough against an elite opponent. For Tocchet, it's about symbolism - his first victory in front of the home crowd, on a night when the pregame ceremony (the tribute to late goalie Bernie Parent) ran deep in the building with emotional weight.
Now, the question is if the Flyers can ride this momentum. Their next challenge comes soon: Winnipeg visits town on Thursday. If Philadelphia can hold up this identity-if its leaders such as Couturier keep shouldering the burden- this team could very well be ready to punch above last season's weight.