The Flyers played against the Bruins’ starless-studded lineup on Saturday night at Wells Fargo Center. A host of power play chances and an overtime winner from who else but Matvei Michkov left all in Flyers land happy.
The basics
First period: 12:59 – Hampus Lindholm (Andrew Peeke), 16:25 – Rasmus Ristolainen (Olle Lycksell, Ryan Poehling)
Second period: 2:40 – Matthew Poitras (Trent Federic) (SHG), 4:14 – Matvei Michkov (Olle Lycksell, Travis Konecny) (PPG)
Third period: No scoring
Overtime: 3:52 – Matvei Michkov (Travis Konecny)
SOG: 40 (PHI) — 27 (BOS)
Some takeaways
First line, first rate?
The line combinations earlier Saturday had some folks a bit giddy as Matvei Michkov was on the top line alongside Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny. The idea of two offensively-oriented wingers bookending the defensively-minded Couturier had some drooling at the possibilities. However the line didn’t quite find that instant synergy early on (an expected goals for percentage of just 21.45 after twenty minutes), with two shifts seeing them defend rather than attack. That chemistry started to form a little more as the game went on, with Konecny having two great chances, the first on a sweet feed from Michkov who was playing on his off wing.
After Michkov got into a bit of a tussle with Bruins defenseman Billy Sweezey, Couturier took the role of enforcer and dropped the gloves with Sweezey.
Although the captain didn’t need a busted hand or shoulder issues from a fight, the fisticuffs seemed to energize the Flyers who tied the game up thanks to Rasmus Ristolainen.
The after whisle jostling also didn’t prevent Michkov from getting into it in the second when he tussled again with Trent Federic that amounted to a Bruins power play.
Fedotov fortifies Flyers
After a whirlwind of goaltending activity in Flyers land that had nothing to do with Ivan Fedotov the Russian goaltender got the start. And while his other half earned a 37-shot shutout against the Islanders, Fedotov got tested early as Couturier’s line got hemmed in. He also took a shot when Morgan Geekie collided with him negating a Bruins power play but fortunately wasn’t worse for wear. As poor as the Flyers defensive play was at times in the opening 20, Fedotov was busy and better than the coverage in front of him.
On his angles, challenging and not playing deep in his net are all good signs for Fedotov. It’s something that should keep the skaters in front of him a little more confident they have a guy who can stop the puck going into the regular season. The consistency in his game was a plus and if that’s maintained it’s something that can’t do anything but help the Flyers.
Ginning, Ginning, gone …
If there was any idea that Adam Ginning might somehow turn it around and save his slim chances of earning a spot on the team, they were pretty much dashed Saturday night when he was all kinds of bad. Whether it was just poor positioning, bad giveaways or needing either some tough love or a pep talk from coach Brad Shaw (John Tortorella again in the press box), Ginning looked lost despite leading all defenseman with ice time after one period.
On the ice along with Jamie Drysdale on the first Bruins goal, Ginning (who took a minor penalty late in the first) should not in Vancouver when the regular season begins unless Danny Briere manages a trade with the Canucks for him. In short, he did nothing to persuade even diehard supporters (perhaps a small segment of Flyers nation somewhere) he deserved another game.
Richard steady, Lycksell lovely
Anthony Richard hasn’t done a lot to put him in the conversation with Michkov, Brink or Luchanko, but in terms of a bottom six forward he has probably been one of the nicer surprises for Philadelphia. Richard, much like Rodrigo Abols, is big and bulky. But Richard has an extra gear that Abols doesn’t have. This was shown midway through the first when he created a short two-on-one, feathering a pass over but with no payoff. He might still be a dark horse to end up with a roster spot given the competition, but Anthony Richard is certainly making a case.
The case was also made loud and clear by Olle Lycksell who had two assists and had some synergy with Michkov at times on the power play. Lycksell’s name was heard often throughout the game with a lot of upside in his play and decision making. He looked as strong as Bobby Brink did to start the exhibition season
Jett’s line not exactly flying
Most eyes still looking at Jett Luchanko saw a player who has flashes of skill and talent and is always speedy but didn’t do too much in the opening period. But for most of the night, outside of a nice long pass he made to Scott Laughton short-handed in the second, he was rather pretty quiet for the first 30 minutes. It looks like the kid has a lot to offer the Flyers, but just not this season. These are games he has to not quite dominate but be far more noticeable than he’s been the last two games. Luchanko had some time on the power play in the second but nothing materialized.
Power play prowess? Yes!
A parade of power play time didn’t result in four or five goals, (one for seven overall) but it did give the Flyers a heck of a lot of time to develop some real game experience. It’s still a work in progress but you have to smile at what Michkov is capable of, even sliding a pass under the goalie’s stick for a great chance in the homestretch of the third (and on their seventh power play).
The first full-length power play took place early in the second. Michkov quarterbacked the first unit and created a great feed for Konecny that was foiled. Unfortunately the ensuing shift saw Couturier with a lot of empty real estate away from Jonas Korpisalo. He passed it. Wrong move. Bruins went back up ice and scored a short-handed goal. The Flyers then were gifted another minor penalty to the Bruins which caused a short two-man advantage. Although that went to pot, Michkov, again quarterbacking everything from the flank, started a nice play that ended with him getting a nice tap in near the post for a power play goal, his first of hopefully many as a Flyer.
Oh, before I forget, Michkov ended the night in overtime with this.
No words needed. Thank you Danny Briere.
