In the first game back for both club’s since 4 Nations Faceoff, the Flyers had seven different players register a point in the win. Philly is now 11-11-3 record against the West Conference this season. Let’s wrap on all the sights and sounds of the contest:
Self High Five
Owen Tippett (2g) and Matvei Michkov (1g, 2a) teamed up for a five point afternoon on Saturday in the win. Flanked by Sean Couturier, who added a goal and an assist of his own, the line dominated in this game. It appeared that the 4 Nations break really revitalized all three players.
‘Yeah, I think it came at a good time for all of us,” Tippett said. “We came back with a lot of energy today and it’s a big win to get this thing rolling.”
Tippett returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing the previous five games due to an upper body injury. He looked no worse for wear in the matinee, showcasing his impressive straight line speed on each of his two goals.
Michkov, on the other hand, continues his stellar rookie campaign. Not only did Michkov tally his 17th goal of the season, tying San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini for the League-lead among rookies, he also added his name to the Flyers record book yet again. According to NHL stats, Michkov recorded his second three-point outing of the 2024-25 season, joining Matt Read, Alexandre Picard and Claude Giroux as the fourth Flyers rookies over the past 30 years to record multiple in a single season.
“He’s a great player. He sees the ice very well,” Tippett said. “Obviously doesn’t matter who’s playing with him, you have to be ready for the puck whenever. His game has only gotten better as the years gone on and it’s always fun to play with a guy like that.”
A First Timer
With 4:36 left in the second period, Andrei Kuzmenko potted his first-career goal as a Flyer on the power-play. Despite sporting a powerplay percentage 15.8, which is good for 28th ranked in the league, Kuzmenko has helped add a different dimension to the Flyers man advantage.
“You can see that he wants that puck on the power play,” John Tortorella said. “Right away, he’s tapping the stick, TK makes a great pass, he knows where to go. He had some skill. Add some enthusiasm, he seems like a really good kid. We need to get 200 feet too, at certain times, and judging from what I’ve seen in the short time I’ve had him, I think he’s very coachable.”
Kuzmenko has seven points (3g-4a) in his last eight games against Edmonton.
They Said It
John Tortorella on Jakob Pelletier’s Flyers Debut: “You know he’s going to be a guy that’s going to be along the walls. I think he has energy, and he read the lineup tonight before the game. You can see what he brings, and I’ve talked to the coach out there in Calgary. He never has a bad day. He’s going to be full of energy. I think we need that.”
Sean Couturier on Still Being an Offensive Contributor This Season: “I still believe in my offensive capabilities. I feel like I’m the type of player throughout my career that never really cheated or force offense, I just have to try play the game as it comes to me.”
Did You Know?
With his ninth of the season, captain Sean Couturier registered his 200th career goal on Saturday afternoon. He therefore passes Ilkka Sinisalo for 16th most goals in Flyers franchise history.
On Deck
The Flyers return to action on Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game will be broadcast locally on NBCSP at 7:00 p.m. EST.
