Flyers’ win over Avalanche could be a season-saving, statement game

Jan 23, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Members of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrate defeating the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesPhiladelphia fourth-line winger Garnet Hathaway should be a little bit lighter in the pocketbook, showing his gratitude to every one of his teammates for what took place Friday night in Denver. Just two days earlier, Hathaway’s epic gaffe resulted in what should’ve been an insurance goal in a 5-3 victory over Utah into a painful, backbreaking 5-4 loss to the Mammoth in overtime. Two wins on a three-game road trip would’ve been considered good. But earning just three points in the first two contests was disappointing, especially considering the guaranteed loss in regulation slated for last night against the Avalanche. Colorado might be going through a bit of a rough patch of late. Yet prior to Friday night they lost five of 48 games in regulation. Put another way, they’ve earned a point in nearly 90 per cent of their games this year.

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