Easton Cowan loves Philadelphia.
Returning to the building where he scored his first career NHL goal, Cowan called game in overtime to complete the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2-1 comeback over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. John Tavares fed an absolutely beauty of a backhand pass to Cowan on a two-on-one late in overtime and Cowan did the rest, getting redemption on Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar, who stopped Cowan on a breakaway earlier in the extra frame.
The Maple Leafs did a wonderful job grinding out these two points, which at this point of the season, goes a very long way. It wasn’t pretty, but there’s no pictures in the standings.
If you were expecting exciting end-to-end highly skilled hockey, you tuned into the wrong game, as the Flyers did a great job smothering the Maple Leafs, in what was, for the most part besides overtime, a boring hockey game. The Flyers were tenacious on the forecheck and kept Toronto’s defencemen on their heels for the majority of the game and did a great job limiting any high-danger chances. The Leafs showed some character to grind it out and stick to their game plan.
Scott Laughton made his first return to Philadelphia since being traded to the Maple Leafs last season and tied the game late in the third period shorthanded. It was a great moment for Laughton, who received a nice tribute video during the first period and a loud ovation from the Flyers’ faithful. Hopefully this game gives him a boost as Laughton can be an x-factor for the Leafs during the second half of the season. It’s worth noting Laughton was dominant in the faceoff circle against his old club, and at one point tried to fight Flyers forward Carl Grundstrom.
On the back end, it was another tough night at the office for Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly, who has been struggling of late. Rielly was on for the first Flyers goal, and in the dying seconds of the second period, Matias Maccelli put a nifty behind-the-back no-look feed on Rielly’s tape and he wasn’t able to get a shot on net, despite the yawning cage.
What a pass by Maccelli, but Rielly just misses the net
📽️: TSN | NHL pic.twitter.com/EtrMkSRhYU
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) January 9, 2026
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Speaking of Maccelli, he deserves a shout out as he was dangerous with the puck on his stick and continues to look like a completely different player these last couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see where Maccelli lands in the lineup once William Nylander returns, but for now, he’s taking advantage of playing time and looks to be a long-term option for the Leafs top nine.
The Maple Leafs get a huge road win in Philly and now head back home to host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night. These are the type of wins the team needs more of as the team is heating up at the perfect time. Don’t look now, but make that points in eight straight.
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