The Flyers have improved to 2-0-0 under interim coach Brad Shaw, outscoring the opposition 13-8 in those contests in their 200 all-time meeting with the Buffalo Sabres. Let’s wrap:
Every Dog Has Its Day
Philadelphia honored forever Flyer Bob “The hound” Kelly Saturday afternoon for his 50 years of service to the organization. Kelly, of course, won two Stanley Cups with the Flyers in the 70s and most recently, has been a member of the club’s community relations department. He is now set to retire from those roles.
The 74-year-old Kelly is healthy and will remain a part of the organization, but will not be as active as he once was. Kelly remains a franchise icon and one of the famed Broad Street Bullies that helped cultivate this franchise’s identity.
Enjoy retirement, hound!
Matvei Does the Most
Matvei Michkov scored twice in the win and according to NHL stats, becomes the fourth Flyers rookie to record multiple goals in consecutive games. The Russian phenom now joins Dave Poulin (1983-84), Brian Propp (1979-80) and Dick Sarrazin (1968-69) as the only Flyers to do so.
“He’s finishing his opportunities,” teammate Noah Cates said. “It’s been big for us these past couple of games. It’s been huge. Getting off to good starts and he doesn’t need too many chances. To have a guy like that, he’s finishing every time and he’s getting those opportunities, playing the way he’s playing, it’s been big for us.”
Additionally, Michkov became the second Flyers rookie in the past 30 years with multiple five-game point streaks in a single season, joining Matt Read (2011-12).
Is there a Calder Trophy in Michkov’s future? With each passing game, he’s certainly making the case.
Tipping Point
Nine different Flyers registered points in the win, but among the most impressive was Owen Tippett’s afternoon. Tippett, 26, had two assists in the win, showcasing his playmaking skills with the puck, as he was able to slice through Buffalo’s defense with relative ease most of the day. At the 5:56 mark of the first period, Tippett turned on the speed and made a terrific deke around Buffalo defender Jacob Bryson. Once he stepped around Bryson, Tippett found Jakob Pelletier for the tap-in goal.
“That pass he made me, I was like wow,” Pelletier said. “It’s so easy to play with him because he’s fast and he knows where to get open.”
The tally is Pelletier’s first as a Flyer. He now owns a three-game point streak (1g, 2a).
Tippett, on the other hand, would later add another assist on a second period powerplay. He was originally given credit for the goal, but later it was changed to Ryan Poehling’s goal instead. Tippett has had a tough, up and down season to date. He can sometimes tease with his ability; when he’s not playing well, his entire game appears off, as does his decision making with the puck. Saturday, however, we saw what a complete effort from Tippett can look like when he’s really dialed in.
They Said It
Interim Head Coach Brad Shaw on How Michkov’s Game Has Evolved: “He is an exceptional player with the puck and an exceptional player offensively. I think what he has to learn is the better he checks and the better he plays without the puck the sooner he will get it back. Then the more opportunistic he can be and show off the skill package that he has. There is so much room for growth there away from the puck and even with the puck. He is going to learn as he goes what works and what doesn’t work in so many different scenarios.”
Noah Cates on the Flyers Playing Looser: “Yeah, maybe a little bit. I think it’s just a mental reset, a little more mental clarity, mental focus. We are just executing, forechecking well, just kind of thinking a little less so could be that.”
Owen Tippett on the Feeling Since John Tortorella’s Firing: “A new change can bring some new life. We realize in here we were apart of the problem. If we perform better, then those circumstances don’t happen so it was a wake up call for all of us.”
Jakob Pelletier on the whirlwind the last month has been: “It’s apart of the business. You just have to get use to it, just have to be a pro, work hard. That’s the mindset I have.”
Did You Know?
According to NHL stats, Brad Shaw became the seventh head coach to win each of his first two contests as the Flyers head coach, following Paul Holmgren (4-0-0), John Tortorella (3-0-0), Alain Vigneault (2-0-0), Scott Gordon (2-0-0), Wayne Cashman (2-0-0) and Terry Simpson (2-0-0).
On Deck
The Flyers will return to the ice on Monday when they play host to the Nashville Predators. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on NBCSP.
