It was another disappointing loss for the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, who fell 4-3 in overtime to the Calgary Flames.

The Flyers were getting pressed early on, but flipped a switch halfway through the first period. They looked like an unstoppable team that was sticking to and executing a game plan. The Flyers grabbed the lead in the first period, but lost it when the Flames tied it before the intermission.

Then, right out of the first intermission, Philly took the lead early in the second period, just to concede it minutes later. A big power-play goal regained the lead for the Flyers before the second break, giving them the lead entering the third period.

The Flames amped up the effort and were really doing everything they could to break even. Philly blew the lead while on the power play, giving up a shorthanded goal to blow their third lead.

Following the shorty, the Flames were dialed in and had too many high-danger chances to count, but Dan Vladar played out of his mind to keep the Flyers in the game. Then, overtime mistakes cost the Flyers the game once again.

It was another game where the Flyers put forward a really solid effort in the first two periods, and ruined it in the third period.

Dan Vladar Stole a Point for the Flyers

Dan Vladar was incredible for the Flyers on Sunday. He finished the game with 22 saves on 26 shots, but his night was so much better than that.

Dan Vladar quite literally stole a point for the Flyers with his efforts late in the game. After the Flames had tied the game up, they had countless chances to take the lead before regulation was over. More than half of the chances they had should have been scored, but they weren’t.

Vladar put the Flyers on his back and kept those pucks out of the net, forcing the game to overtime and stealing a point for the Flyers.

It was a point that the Flyers don’t deserve, either. If it weren’t for Vladar, that point is not there. Vladar stood tall when it mattered most, but once again, his team could not get him the win.

Owen Tippett Looked More Like Himself

If there were any positives to take from the game, it’s that Owen Tippett is starting to look like himself again.

Tippett had not quite looked like himself yet this season. Last year, he was playing out of his mind, especially during the playoffs. Up to Sunday, we had yet to see that side of Tippett this season.

On Sunday, Tippett looked explosive and was slating with power. He was physical and strong along the boards, and you could just tell he was playing with a lot more confidence than usual. He had made a couple of plays where he was skating hard, stopped, turned, and either passed or shot the puck.

Tippett had a game-high 6 shots on goal on Sunday as well. He looked really, really solid on Sunday. Getting Tippett back to that form is something the Flyers will need to do to break out of this funk.

Another Disappointing Late-Game Lead Blown By the Flyers

I sound like a broken record saying this, but once again, the Flyers played really solid for 40 minutes, but have yet to play a full 60. “Full 60” is a phrase the Flyers have used a lot when talking about what they need to do to get out of this.

Once again, the Flyers went into the third period with a lead, and once again, they blew it late.

After Thursday’s loss to the New York Rangers, Noel Acciari made a comment about the Flyers playing to protect the lead rather than keep doing what was working. Instead of being on their toes, they were pushed to their heels, and the Rangers capitalized.

It wasn’t the first time this season that this has been the case, and Sunday proved that it wasn’t going to be the last.

The Flyers had the Flames on the ropes, especially after the second-period domination by Philly. But once again, the Flyers changed up their game, took a step back, and let the Flames right back into the game. Sunday’s loss was just another disappointment for the Flyers as they continue to try and fight out of this slump.

Next up is the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, one of two teams with a worse points percentage than the Flyers.