Brock Nelson buried the go-ahead goal with 52 seconds remaining in the first period, and the Colorado Avalanche capped a flawless back-to-back set with a 3–2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday at Xfinity Mobile Arena. 

Brent Burns opened the scoring for Colorado, while Valeri Nichushkin extended the lead with an insurance marker early in the second period. Mackenzie Blackwood delivered another outstanding performance between the pipes, turning aside 24 shots. 

Philadelphia’s offense came from captain Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, the latter firing a game-high nine shots on goal. Samuel Ersson—usually slotted as the backup—stood tall in defeat, recording 25 saves to keep the Flyers within striking distance. 

First Period 

The Flyers struck just 2:08 into the game when Noah Juulsen unloaded a slap shot from the point that was redirected by captain Couturier past Blackwood, giving Philadelphia an early 1–0 lead. 

Sean Couturier opens the scoring in his 900th career NHL game on his birthday 👏

📺: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/lC3NQtXMWG

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 7, 2025

A little more than six minutes later, Burns responded with his fourth goal of the season, wiring a wrist shot through traffic—thanks in part to Nichushkin’s heavy screen in front—that prevented Ersson from seeing the shot. Martin Nečas remained poised on the left circle and threaded a pinpoint pass to Burns, whose ability to get shots through, even at age 40, continues to defy logic. 

Brent Burns’ fourth of the season ties it up! 💪 pic.twitter.com/tWj7jyWC2B

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 7, 2025

Can't say enough about a 40-year-old player being the best player on the ice so far today.

Modern day Chris Chelios in Brent Burns... but I think he's better tbh.@TheHockeyNews

— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) December 7, 2025

After Juulsen was whistled for tripping Parker Kelly, Colorado capitalized on the ensuing power play. Nelson and Nathan MacKinnon both took hacks at a loose rebound, but it was Nelson who delivered the decisive tap to put the Avalanche ahead 2–1. Nečas nearly added another goal moments before, but his one-timer rang off the post. Nelson now has 10 points in his last 10 games. 

Second Period 

Just 1:47 into the frame, Nichushkin extended the lead. He corralled a cross-ice feed from Devon Toews that glanced off the skate of Victor Olofsson, then snapped a wrister from the right circle past Ersson to make it 3–1 Colorado. 

Valeri Nichushkin makes it 3-1 @Avalanche!

📺: #NHLNShowcase on NHL Network https://t.co/4H667mOUMGpic.twitter.com/vyzFDO0RJo

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) December 7, 2025

Konecny trimmed the deficit with a clever move, selling a pump-fake toward the far post and slipping the puck five-hole as Blackwood bit on the fake, cutting the score to 3–2. 

Burns nearly restored the two-goal cushion midway through the period, springing Victor Olofsson on a breakaway, but Ersson stood tall with a blocker save. Minutes later, Burns hammered another shot from the point, only to hear it ring off the post. On the same sequence, Trevor Zegras was called for slashing Nichushkin, sending Colorado back to the power play. The Avalanche couldn’t convert, and late in the period, Nečas took a slashing penalty of his own. 

Colorado carried a 3–2 lead into intermission, while the Flyers entered the third with 1:53 remaining on the man advantage. 

Third Period 

After the Avalanche killed off the penalty, MacKinnon was assessed a hooking infraction on Zegras, who was sprung on a breakaway 4:54 into the period. The officials awarded a penalty shot, a dangerous situation considering Zegras’ 68% shootout success rate (17-for-25). 

But Blackwood shut the door, reading the move perfectly and turning aside the attempt to preserve Colorado’s one-goal lead. 

The remainder of the game evolved into a tactical showcase, but the Avalanche remained composed and resolute. Philadelphia pulled Ersson twice in the final minutes, pressing desperately for the equalizer, yet their efforts came up short as Blackwood stood tall and refused to yield. 

Avs win 3-2!@TheHockeyNews#GoAvsGo
Mackenzie Blackwood was outstanding. First Star in my book.

— Ryan O'Hara (@OHaraSports) December 7, 2025

Next Game 

The Avalanche (21-2-6) end their Tour De USA on Tuesday when they take on the Nashville Predators (10-14-4) at Bridgestone Arena. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. local time.  

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

Every week in the NHL delivers goals, chaos, and occasionally, absolute gems on the microphone. Our “Say What?” series features some of the strangest, funniest, and most telling quotes from players, coaches, and executives around the league. 

Here are the lines that made us stop scrolling and say… what?,

"I think he was disappointed with your guys' coverage on his offensive ability, or not shooting the puck. Maybe that stirred it up. I know if I've got a problem with any other players, I'll just address it with you guys." - Kris Knoblauch. 

The Edmonton Oilers head coach was responding to coverage by the media, many asking why Connor McDavid wasn’t shooting more. That was Knoblauch’s reply after McDavid scored a hat trick in the following game.

“How would they know that?” - Rasmus Andersson

The Calgary Flames defenseman talked about reports that said he’s already decided on his future and whether he’s staying or leaving the Flames as his trade value increases with strong production. 

“I saw some reports the other day (saying) ‘Oh, he doesn’t know what to do with his future,' and I’m like, ‘How would you know that?'” Andersson said.

“I talked to my agent before the season started, and then we haven’t talked. How could you possibly know if I’m undecided about my future or not? I’ve come to the point in my life where I just laugh at the things people say online, and honestly, it feels great to come to that point," he added.

“It sucks.” - Matthew Knies, “Beast came in and was unbelievable for us.” - Auston Matthews

The Toronto Maple Leafs captain and power forward talked about Dennis Hildeby taking over for Joseph Woll, who went down with an injury against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs are now without Woll and Anthony Stolarz, making Hildeby the team's starting goaltender. 

It's a huge loss for the Maple Leafs as Woll has been putting up great numbers, but Hildeby has stepped up in relief and with the new role.

Hildeby Is The Leafs' Starter With Woll's Injury, Here's How We Got HereWith Joseph Woll on injured reserve, rookie netminder Dennis Hildeby is now the starting goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here is how we got here.

"There's zero truth'' - Ken Holland 

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun said he reached out to the Los Angeles Kings’ GM Ken Holland regarding speculation of a potential coaching change. Peter DeBoer has been linked to the story, but Holland isn’t giving the rumor any more life than it's already taken on. 

The Kings will continue forward with Jim Hiller as the bench boss, with no plans to make changes in the near future.

"If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics." - Bill Daly

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was asked what the percentage chance was that some NHL players might drop out of the Olympics because of the rink issues in Italy.

"Depends on % you want to place on the possibility the rink doesn’t get completed," Daly said. "If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics."

“It’ll change things, but who cares?” -Nathan MacKinnon

When asked about the smaller ice surface at the Olympics, Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon wasn’t overly concerned.  

Maple Leafs' Matthews also chimed in and said, “It can be a 100-by-100-foot sheet. You just want to go out there and play and have that opportunity.”

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.