Denver Barkey scores first career goal as Flyers take down Oilers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 3rd January, 18:43 2026

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Edmonton Oilers

Jan 3, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale (9) with Flyers center Denver Barkey (52) and Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) celebrates Barkey’s goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

Denver Barkey's first NHL tally highlighted a three-goal first period for the Philadelphia Flyers, who beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-2 on Saturday.

Travis Sanheim and Bobby Brink also scored in the first, while Nick Seeler and Owen Tippett each posted a goal with an assist and Sean Couturier added two helpers for the Flyers, who finished a 3-2-0 road trip. Dan Vladar made 22 saves for Philadelphia, which allowed 13 Edmonton shots on goal in the first period, but just 11 the rest of the way.

Connor McDavid extended his point streak to 15 games with his 25th goal of the season and Evan Bouchard also scored for the Oilers, who have dropped two straight and three of four.

Philadelphia made its mark early in the first period. Tippett passed the puck into the slot for a streaking Barkey, who beat Oilers' Calvin Pickard (24 saves) for his milestone goal just 7:16 into the contest.

Barkey's marker essentially set the tempo, as the visitors made it 2-0 with 9:29 left in the first when Sanheim beat Pickard from the right circle.

Philadelphia then extended its lead a little over four minutes later when an Edmonton turnover led to the puck deflecting into the net off the heel of Brink's skate off a shot from Cam York.

Vladar, meanwhile, was solid by stopping 12 shots in the first period. However, he couldn't prevent McDavid from scoring on a breakaway, which came off a Sanheim turnover in the neutral zone, with 3:52 remaining before the first intermission.

The Oilers made it 3-2 on the power play with 10:06 remaining in the second period. With an assist from McDavid, Bouchard unloaded a successful slap shot from the left point to give Edmonton at least one goal on the man advantage in nine of the last 10 games.

Philadelphia found some breathing room with 10:51 remaining in regulation off Seeler's wrister for his first goal of the season. Tippett added an empty-netter as the Flyers scored at least five goals for the third time in their last six.

McDavid, meanwhile, has 14 goals with 22 assists in the last 15 games.

--Field Level Media

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