Michkov puts healthy scratches in the past as Flyers recover to beat Sharks

Michkov puts healthy scratches in the past as Flyers recover to beat Sharks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

While Matvei Michkov called out to the crowd after his breakaway goal in the second period, his return to the lineup was poised to be successful.

And despite a 3-0 lead, the Flyers survived to make sure Michkov’s performance wasn’t wasted. The 19-year-old helped the Flyers to a 4-3 shootout victory Monday night against the Sharks at the Wells Fargo Center.

Michkov and Travis Konecny ​​scored in the skills competition.

Michkov was back strong after a few healthy scratches. He had an assist to go along with his scoring, giving him 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 14 games.

“This guy loves playing hockey and it really shows,” Emil Andrae said. “I’m happy for him that he bounced back.”

The Flyers (6-8-2) have collected at least one point in six of their last nine games (5-3-1). Monday night began a stretch in which six of their next seven games will take place at the Wells Fargo Center.

Konecny ​​and Erik Johnson also scored goals for the Flyers, who could have scored three more on the night. They had a few short-yardage misses and tough bounces, which almost cost them.

The Flyers allowed the tying goal with 2:24 left in regulation and held off a San Jose power play in overtime. Michkov was whistled for his 2024 first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini, as the third period buzzer sounded.

“There’s definitely going to be some things we have to clean up, but you can feel our game coming,” Konecny ​​said. “We are playing more consistently in the last four games, in the style we want to play and getting better results.”

John Tortorella wanted the Flyers to continue what they did their 1-1-1 road trip against three contenders.

“I think we are starting to find ourselves,” the head coach said in the morning. “I hope we can do it another night.”

The Flyers improved to 3-1 in shootouts this season. They have been to the shootout in the last three games.

For the first half of this game, the Flyers took advantage of a Sharks team (5-9-3) that played Sunday night at the Prudential Center. San Jose earned a 1-0 victory over the Devils thanks to a 44-save shutout from Mackenzie Blackwood.

• Michkov showed extra offensive dynamism after missing the last two games.

“I watched both games, it’s good to watch,” he said through translator Slava Kuznetsov, a Flyers consultant. “Take some time off and think again.”

The Flyers believe healthy scratches are It’s all part of the process for the Russian rookie winger.

“He’s competitive and that’s what we like about him,” Konecny ​​said. “He brings all the other things to the game – the skills and that offensive mindset. But he also competes and he hangs in there. He had a few hits tonight too, so he doesn’t just contribute on offense ;he tries to do different parts of the game.”

Ryan Poehling, returning from injured reserve, delivered a great second-period assist on Michkov’s goal that increased the Flyers’ lead to 3-0.

Michkov also helped the Flyers’ power play find some momentum. The club must have been happy with his response after being seated. The line of Michkov, Poehling and Anthony Richard was good.

“I wasn’t worried about how he was going to react,” Tortorella said of Michkov. “It didn’t worry me at all. He competes.”

• Samuel Ersson converted 28 saves on 31 shots. Over his last five appearances, the 25-year-old has turned away 109 of 116 shots.

He was superb in overtime with five saves and was perfect in the shootout, facing only two attempts.

“As far as the shootout goes, he seems so confident,” Tortorella said. “The big reason we win.”

Ersson made back-to-back saves with just over five minutes left in the first period to keep the Flyers in the lead. Konecny ​​rewarded him about a minute later by cutting the Flyers’ lead to 2-0 with a power play goal. Michkov found it with a nice touch pass.

The Sharks scored twice in the final five minutes of the second period to cut the Flyers’ lead to 3-2.

“I liked our game, I liked our game,” Tortorella said. “Apart from three or four minutes (when) we did some stupid stuff.”

Ivan Fedotov was Ersson’s replacement. Aleksei Kolosov, recovering from a lower body injury, was on the ice for the morning skate.

San Jose goaltender Vitek Vanecek stopped 40 of 43 Flyers shots.

• Richard showed off his speed to set up Johnson’s first goal just 1:40 into the action.

Before he could even catch his breath, Johnson replaced Michkov by fighting Givani Smith on the ensuing faceoff. Smith and Michkov were in a shoving match, so Johnson rushed to defend his rookie teammate.

“I’m not really a fighter, but we support each other,” Johnson said. “If you have to stand there and take a few punches to let your teammates know that you support them, I think that’s important. Whether you take a few or not, whether you win or lose the fight, I think that It’s just the message that matters.”

The veteran defenseman has 998 career NHL games and a Stanley Cup title to his name. Just a pro and the Flyers loved his influence on the team.

“That’s exactly what he brings to the locker room,” Konecny ​​said. “Whether he’s in or out of the lineup, he makes a difference in the locker room every day.”

• The last time the Flyers gave up a power play goal was October 27. Their penalty kill went 17 for 17 and was notable in the third period and overtime.

• Tortorella has had some roster changes due to injuries and performance. More about this here.

• The Flyers practice Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET in Voorhees, New Jersey before flying to Ottawa, Ontario for a game Thursday against the Senators (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

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