Sam’s last stand? Ersson fights through the noise to lead Flyers to much-needed win

It's uncertain how much longer Sam Ersson will be a goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers.

There's been a lot of internal discussion about what to do with the backup goalie position. Rick Tocchet starting Aleksei Kolosov last Saturday against the New York Rangers spoke volumes about Ersson's tenuous position with the organization.

People have been calling for Ersson's job. Fans and media alike. Heck, it's been done so in this space multiple times in the past two months. 

Which is why after he snapped the Flyers six-game losing streak by beating the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 on Monday, Ersson deserves some platitudes. 

It's not easy to be in his position - one where he has not played up to anyone's standard. One where his job is being called into question. One where if he searches his name on any social media platform he is sure to find comments so tacky they would stick to Teflon. 

So to face a Vegas team riding a seven-game winning streak, while his own team has looked awful for the past two weeks, at the start of a make-or-break three-game road trip out west, was a daunting task. 

To make 24 saves, allow just one goal, and stone one of the best power plays in the NHL six times, all while facing the demons that have derailed his season to this point and blocking out the outside noise calling for him to be removed from the team, takes a certain intestinal fortitude that is hard to muster.

Sam Ersson made a big save on a penalty kill 😳#Flyers pic.twitter.com/0wcNWaYpTB

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) January 20, 2026

Credit Ersson for digging deep and providing the kind of outing he hasn't been able to muster prior to Monday, at a time when the Flyers absolutely needed him to do it. It was his best start of the season by far. 

Along with Travis Konecny, who scored both Flyers goals on breakaways - one shorthanded - Ersson is the reason the Flyers were able to put their worst stretch of games of the season behind them with a much-needed victory.

KONECNY OPENS IT UP FOR THE FLYERS ON THE BREAKAWAY!!!! 1-0!!#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/MZRjOpw46S

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) January 20, 2026

Of course, one win - no matter how impressive - does not shake off the stink of what has been clinging to the Flyers for two weeks. There were still things in this game that had to be driving Tocchet crazy. 

There were too many penalties. Too many turnovers. Not enough chances. The power play continues to flatline. 

But the defensive structure was better than it's been. Cam York rebounded nicely after perhaps his worst game of the season against the Rangers. 

Nick Seeler blocked some big shots. Collectively, the Flyers defended the middle of the ice well. 

And Konecny was especially opportunistic.

Twice.

TRAVIS KONECNY DOES IT AGAIN ON THE BREAKAWAY THANKS TO A GIFT FROM EICHEL!! 2-1!#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/Lq9l6TtRPG

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) January 20, 2026

But it was Ersson who stood out the most, primarily because no one saw it coming. 

It was the 20th game this season in which Ersson has appeared. It was only the fifth in which he had a save percentage over .900.  

And of the five, the Golden Knights were clearly the best offensive team. 

Dan Vladar (lower body injury) is on the road trip with the team, but it's seeming like if he is to return from injured reserve, it will be at the end of the trip in Colorado. 

Meaning Ersson likely gets one more start in Utah. 

And that's how he has to look at things. Start by start. 

G.M. Danny Briere has been reluctant to make a change at the backup goalie position all season, believing that time will dictate if and when such a change would be warranted.

If he let all of those subpar outings slide this long, he's not going to suddenly believe everything is hunky-dory with Ersson going forward based on just one strong start. 

But man, it was an important one. It's something bother Ersson and the Flyers have to use to build a comeback inside a once promising season.

Ersson played Monday like it was his last game. He'll need to do it again Wednesday to try to rebuild his reputation as a reliable option.

Brick by brick. Or something like that. 

If not, well, it just might be his last.