In a back-and-forth affair, the Flyers fall to 1-4-1 in their last five games and 4-6-1 in their last ten games. They are 12-13-1 on home ice this season. Let’s Wrap on all the sights and sounds of the game:
Mike of the Night
Matvei Michkov turned in one of his more outstanding performances of the season on Thursday. The young Russian logged 19:32 of TOI on 21 shifts, which was second among all Flyers forwards in ice time and of course, added the two goals. Michkov was flanked by Sean Couturier and Rodrigo Abols in this game and the line did find some chemistry.
“Unfortunately, we could not win today,” Michkov said through a translator. “There’s stuff to improve still, but those goals in the future should help me and the team to win. They’ve been tough games, the last couple of games, but now it’s a lot better.”
There is something to be said for Michkov’s play looking infinitely better alongside Couturier for a majority of this season. Granted, the Flyers’ captain is no longer the player he once was and looks slower today than in previous seasons, but he is one of the few players on Philly’s roster that can think and read the game in the way that Michkov can. The pair play off each other well and they should be tied to the hip for the remainder of the season.
Thursday’s game marks Michkov’s 11th career multi-point game, according to NHL stats. That’s the most by a Flyers rookie since Simon Gagne had 11 in 1999-2000.
On Arrival
At long last, the Flyers’ pieces of the Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost trade arrived during the second period of Thursday’s game. Due to visa issues, the newly acquired Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier were not able to get to Philadelphia sooner, but they should draw into the lineup on Saturday when the Flyers host Pittsburgh before the Four Nations Face-off break.
Kuzmenko owns five points (3g-2a) in his last five games with Calgary, while Pelletier owns six points (3g-3a) in his last nine games.
The Mad Metro
With the loss, the Flyers have fallen to 0-5 against the division leading Capitals in their last five meetings. The next nine games Philly will play will be against the Metropolitan Division, which is not necessarily a good thing for them this year. The Flyers possess a 6-10-1 against the Metro and will likely find tough sledding as they continue to evaluate their roster through the March 7th trade deadline and beyond.
They Said It
Tyson Foerster on Protecting a Lead Against the Capitals: “They are a good team. They are first in the league, I am pretty sure. I thought we played a hell of a game, but we just had a couple breaks here and there.”
Matvei Michkov on if Fatigue is Setting in: “When you score, it’s a pump up. The energy is coming from the scoring.”
Rodrigo Abols on Playing Wing with Michkov and Couturier: “I’m feeling more and more comfortable everyday with the play and the level here. Credit to the guys for making it feel like your apart of the team instead of just cast-in and a little band aid.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Matvei Michkov (2g) becomes the fourth Flyers rookie in 40 years with three or more multi-goal games in a single season. The others? Eric Lindros (8 in 1992-93), Mikael Renberg (6 in 1993-94) and teammate Tyson Foerster (4 in 2023-24).
On Deck
The Flyers will play host to their cross-state rival Penguins on Saturday. Puck-drop is set for 7:00 pm and t will be broadcast locally on NBCSP.
