Philadelphia Flyers
Watch: Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Scores First NHL Goals
Matvei Michkov and the Philadelphia Flyers were, at least for a moment, the next beneficiaries of the Edmonton Oilers’ dismal start to the 2024-25 season.
Just 4:02 into Tuesday night’s contest, Oilers forward Zach Hyman was sent to the penalty box to serve a too many men on the ice penalty, giving the Flyers an early power play opportunity after an encouraging start to the game.
Owen Tippett’s shot attempt from close range bounced just wide of the net to the left of Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner, who thought he had control of the puck at the side of his cage on the rebound.
Then Michkov showed up.
The 19-year-old, who has endeared himself to his teammates, coaches, and even head coach John Tortorella himself with his competitiveness and aggression, took several whacks at Skinner’s left pad. And then he celebrated.
Nobody else was celebrating, and then his Flyers teammates tentatively joined him in celebration.
MATVEI MICHKOV'S FIRST NHL GOAL. THE BOYS ARE ECSTATIC.#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/IIgYqjMPGq
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) October 16, 2024
And who would have guessed that Michkov scored his first NHL goal by poking at a loose puck, rather than finishing off a pretty passing play or ripping a blistering wrist shot?
It took a while for the goal to be officially awarded, though.
The officials first had to determine that the puck crossed the goal line to be considered a legal goal, which was done rather quickly.
Then, after that was established, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch attempted to challenge the ruling for goalie interference.
The officials ruled that Michkov did not push Skinner’s pad into the net, granting the Flyers rookie his first NHL goal with another power play upcoming.
They say whatever you do once, you can do twice, right?
With the Oilers in the box again for an unsuccessful coach’s challenge, Michkov and the Flyers made Edmonton pay again.
MATVEI MICHKOV SECOND OF THE GAME!!! ITS SHOWTIME IN EDMONTON!!!!!#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/GlIDHSDI7L
— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) October 16, 2024
Travis Konecny held the puck up on the left wall, dishing the puck through a seam to a waiting Morgan Frost at the bumper. Frost quickly shifted the puck to his right to Michkov, who buried his one-timer through the armpit of Skinner, giving the Flyers an early 2-0 lead and recording his first two NHL goals.
Talk about scoring your first official Flyers goals in style?
A natural hat trick for your first 3 nhl goals,that would be interesting to research,if it were to happen.Espn only seems to be considered with why Edmonton is not playing well,thank God for the flyers radio guys and the mute button on the TV.
Michkov is actually teammates with a guy who did that for his first three NHL goals. I’ll let you guys guess who it is!
Nice,I will do my research on that one,I guess that’s why you don’t stay up late for these games,it screws with your sleep and they blow a game they should have won.Sanheim had a terrible game and it’s fitting he had the puck go off his stick at the end,Bobby
Orr he ain’t.Until this team learns to play 60 minutes,they aren’t winning anything.
Rp
Yeah….he did that with Canadiens….thought he would be their next stud forward.
Bingo!
Sanheim and York need to step it up vs the Kraken…they cannot play that way like last night in the next contest. Though in fairness….Kraken do not have a McDavid or Draisaitl breathing down their throats in the defensive zone.
Michkov…..makes the power play look potent…..amazing how one player can change the whole dynamic of a special team.