Quinn Hughes has been connected to the Philadelphia Flyers ever since Rick Tocchet took over as head coach, and there's a chance the superstar defenseman is miffed a reunion didn't take place.

The center had an eventful first period against the Carolina Hurricanes, putting his Philadelphia Flyers up after 20 minutes.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens NHL game to be played on December 16, 2025 on ESPN.

The Carolina Hurricanes have now won four consecutive games - all against Metropolitan Division teams - and are as close to full strength as they've been in two months.

Forward William Carrier scored his third goal of the season in his 26th outing, climbing to within one of the four he recorded during 43 games last season. Defenseman Alexander Nikishin picked up an assist to extend his point streak to three games (1G, 2A). He's the seventh rookie this season with multiple point streaks of three games or longer.

When asked Thursday, before the Flyers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, about his undersized defense pair of Jamie Drysdale and Emil Andrae, Tocchet was about to cite a defenseman he coached in Vancouver as an example of how to succeed as that kind of player, before quickly pivoting.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Philadelphia Flyers meet Thursday. Puck drop from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is at 7 p.m. ET.

Analyst Colby Cohen recently said he’s heard that if Tkachuk ever does leave Ottawa, he would strongly consider joining the Philadelphia Flyers.

In three-on-three overtime — which the Flyers are really struggling with lately — Ersson was the primary reason the game even made it to the shootout. He absorbed a Shayne Gostisbehere shot with 1:31 to go in the extra session after the Flyers were gassed in their own end, and denied Jordan Staal alone in front with eight seconds to go.

Andrei Svechnikov scored in the shootout and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Sunday. William Carrier and Taylor Hall scored in regulation for the Hurricanes, who have won four straight — three in a shootout.