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Flyers Grades: Defense Wastes Michkov’s Goals in 4-3 OT Loss

The Philadelphia Flyers might have a problem on defense. That much was evident in Tuesday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov, who scored his first two NHL goals to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead, saw his efforts go to waste.
The 2-0 lead slowly evaporated throughout the second period, and though Bobby Brink restored the lead at 3-2 with 23 seconds left, the Flyers again ran out of steam.
It could have all been prevented with a little extra detail defensively.
Egor Zamula: C
For the second game in a row, Egor Zamula had a so-so performance.
Zamula was on the ice for Adam Henrique’s goal, which not only went through him, but started with him.
The 24-year-old defenseman failed to chip the puck in deep at Edmonton’s blueline, allowing the Oilers to easily regain possession without having to spend time chasing down the puck. Two passes later, the puck was in the back of the net past Sam Ersson.
Mattias Janmark’s pass attempt went right by Zamula in the crease and to Henrique, whose questionable backhand attempt fooled Ersson and gave the Oilers life at 2-1.
Zamula picked up an assist on Brink’s goal, but he hasn’t developed into the difference-maker he looked like he could be during training camp and the preseason yet, and it’s becoming costly.
Travis Sanheim: F
Travis Sanheim was on the ice for three of Edmonton’s four goals and took a penalty in the third period with the Flyers nursing a one-goal lead.
Overall, it was an unsightly performance for the usually dependable Sanheim.
The 28-year-old was stripped of the puck along the wall in the build up to Connor Brown’s game-tying goal in the second period and got caught puck-watching on Evan Bouchard’s game-tying goal with 3:42 left in the game.