The Flyers welcomed fan favorite Scott Laughton back to Philadelphia on Thursday night, but it was the veteran forward who got the last laugh. The Toronto Maple Leafs came away with a 2-1 win in overtime after Laughton tied the game with a shorthanded goal late in the third period.
Laughton’s return was a much-anticipated one for both the player and his former team. The Flyers honored Laughton with a video during the first TV timeout of Thursday night’s game.
There will always be Brotherly Love for Laughts. https://t.co/OvjjpUogLL pic.twitter.com/4xx6QzjHFB
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2026
Laughton and Travis Konecny were the only two players to score in regulation, which is fitting given the relationship those two had in Philadelphia. They were both first-round picks of the Flyers, and teammates for most of Laughton’s 12 seasons in Philadelphia.
Scott Laughton returns to Philadelphia for a massive game
The former Flyer knew it would be a big game in his return to Philadelphia, and he also knew that Konecny would be ready to welcome him the only way he knows how.
“He’s a rat. He’s a big-time rat. So I’m sure he’ll be chirping, but he can back it up,” Laughton said prior to Thursday’s game. “Really good friend. We grew very close with my time here, and he’s a great human being. He’s about as big a rat as they come.”
Konecny did, in fact, back up his chirping as he opened the scoring in the first minute of the second period. He found open ice in the slot, took a pass from Christian Dvorak, and beat Dennis Hildeby clean over the shoulder.
TK-ing care of business. #TORvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/cErmJOMSjb
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2026
It was Konecny’s 14th goal of the season, and it earned him the intermission interview, where he fired back at Laughton’s pregame comments.
“I learned from the best of Laughty. He’s the biggest rat in the league,” Konecny quipped. “A lot of fun playing against him. Great teammate. We’ll talk to him after we get a win.”
Unfortunately, it wasn’t so fun for Konecny or the Flyers playing against Laughton in the third period. The Flyers forward did not return to the game, and, of course, Laughton tied the game with a shorthanded goal.
However, it’s always good to see Laughton and Konecny poking some fun at each other. You could tell that returning to Philadelphia meant a lot to Laughton.
“It was definitely an emotional start to the game. It probably took me a period to kind of get going,” he said. “A lot of emotions run through — I don’t know if I was expecting them. Standing on the blue line, getting the start was a nice touch. And then it kind of all floods back to you about most of the memories here and all the people that helped you.”
Laughton also had further praise for Konecny.
“He’s an unbelievable player. I’ve seen him from when he started in the league, and he’s only gotten better,” he said. He’s an unbelievable competitor and a great leader over there. I respect him so much.”
It takes a rat to know a rat.
