Just a night after clinching a playoff berth, the Flyers and their young guns put the finishing touches on a regular season sweep of the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday night to conclude their 2025-2026 season in style. Let’s wrap:
The M&M Boys Team Up
Even with several regulars sitting out for rest in the regular season finale, the Flyers young tandem of Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov kept the good times rolling in the first period on Tuesday night. At the 8:08 mark of the first period, a well placed point shot from Michkov at the center point was redirected in front of the net by Martone to open the scoring. With 10 regulars sitting out for rest, it was young players like Martone, Oliver Bonk, Matvei Michkov and Alex Bump that provided the offense on this night.
“It just kind of shows the growth and the youth movement here,” Martone said. “What we’ve got in the prospect pool and down in the AHL in Lehigh and the players contributing up here in the NHL.”
You Never Forget Your First
In a rare and very cool moment, rookie defenders Oliver Bonk and Hunter MacDonald not only made their NHL debuts together Tuesday night, but also teamed up for a goal.
At the 14:42 mark of the second period, MacDonald dropped a heavy hit at the blueline on Canadiens forward Joe Veleno. The hit jarred the puck loose at the point and Michkov collected the disc and send a pass over to Bonk, in open space. Bonk then fired a snapshot past goaltender Jakub Dobes to extend the lead to 2-0 for Philadelphia.
I’ve played a lot with him,” Bonk said of his defense partner MacDonald. “So, I’m definitely really used to what he does and I think it helps a lot.”
Muscled by Michkov
Michkov was a man possessed in this game, notching a goal and two assists in the contest. He becomes the first player since Simon Gagne in the 1999-2000 season to record consecutive 20-goal seasons to begin his career with his goal Tuesday night.
“I think he’s just getting information and he’s starting to understand it and apply it,” Rick Tocchet said. “Early on, he maybe didn’t understand it as much and maybe got frustrated. I think the communication’s a lot better, too, with the language barrier and stuff like that. It’s helping.”
Michkov finished the season strong and additionally, added his name to more Flyers history. The NHL’s stats and info page says Tuesday’s effort is his eighth career three-point game. He therefore ties Bill Barber and Mel Bridgman for the fourth most by a Flyers player at age 21 or younger, behind only Eric Lindros (24 GP), Peter Zezel (14 GP) and Ken Linseman (19 GP).
They Said It
Tocchet on Sam Ersson’s game after the Olympic break: “I’ve noticed since the break, he really looked big in the net, calmer. I think he has worked on not only the physical aspect of his game, but the mental.”
Hunter MacDonald on making his NHL debut with some of his Phantoms teammates: “It’s pretty cool like maybe it doesn’t feel like the spotlight’s just on me when there’s a lot of guys that I know, but it was great that we played together down there. This organization’s is classy and it was awesome. When Bonk scored, I was ecstatic.”
Alex Bump on playing the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs: “It’s going to be sweet. I’m sure this building is going to be rocking.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Oliver Bonk (g,1-1a) became the first defenseman to score in his NHL debut with the Flyers and just the third with multiple points. The others are Gord Murphy (2a in 88-89) and Behn Wilson (2a in 78-79).
On Deck
The Flyers are headed to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The scheduling for the post-season will be released this coming Thursday, April 16th.
