Barkey gives Flyers a big lift over Oilers with his first goal

By Canadian Press on January 3, 2026.

EDMONTON — Denver Barkey’s first career NHL goal gave the Philadelphia Flyers an early boost and propelled them to a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Philadelphia started the scoring 7:16 into the first period as Owen Tippett made a nice feed to a streaking Barkey who had broken free of coverage and directed it past Oilers netminder Calvin Pickard.

“He’s been playing great for us, he’s been generating chances and it was only a matter of time before he put one in,” said Flyers defenceman Travis Sanheim of the rookie’s goal, which sparked Philadelphia to jump out to a 3-0 lead. “I’m happy for him, he deserves it and it was a big goal for us.

“It settled us down a little bit and we ended up getting a couple of more and I thought it kick-started us.”

The 20-year-old also has two assists in just seven games in the big leagues.

“Game-by-game I’m getting more comfortable and confident and getting more comfortable with my linemates, too. We’re reading each other a lot better as games go on, so just continuing to build that confidence,” Barkey said.

Nick Seeler and Tippett each had a goal and an assist and Sanheim and Bobby Brink also scored for the Flyers (21-12-7), who have won four of their last six.

The Flyers were unified in being impressed with their own ability to limit the Oilers and their star offensive firepower of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

“It’s a young group, so these types of situations playing against a really good hockey team, who’s making a push, how do we react on that? You’re looking at those things and hopefully stack these good moments together,” said Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.

“I think just learning from throughout the year, we don’t want to back off. At times we did and we let them back in the game, but for the most part, our group stuck together and tried to play the right way.”

Dan Vladar was solid in the Philadelphia net with 22 stops, setting a new career high for wins in a season with 15 victories in 24 starts.

“It’s tough to go into the game thinking you can play up and down hockey against this team,” Vladar said. “I thought everybody played responsible hockey in here and we just out-grind them and we knew if we played good defence we were going to have opportunities and we are skilled enough to take advantage of them and we did.

“I’m grateful for the guys in front of me, I didn’t have much of a work day.”

It was only the 13th time this season the Flyers have scored first in a contest.