Flyers Praise Matvei Michkov’s Triumphant Return, Masterful Performance vs. Sharks

It was ultimately too close for comfort, but the Philadelphia Flyers kept their points streak alive, going to the shootout for the third consecutive game and defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in the skills competition. Matvei Michkov, returning after a two-game benching, added a shootout goal to his breakaway goal and assist earlier in the game.

Head coach John Tortorella, Michkov, and Michkov’s teammates never doubted a triumphant return to the lineup. In fact, they expected it.

“The guy loves to play hockey,” said defenseman Emil Andrae, a fellow rookie.

Tortorella and the Flyers deployed Michkov in an unusual role on Monday night, rolling him out on a third line that featured speedsters Ryan Poehling and Anthony Richard.

Michkov ultimately played a modest 15:55, setting up Travis Konecny’s power play goal with his world class anticipation on a tic-tac-toe passing play to give the Flyers a vital 2-0 lead.

For good measure, the 19-year-old NHL Rookie of the Month shook loose in the neutral zone, skating in on Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek and snapping a quick, decisive shot through the five hole to give the Flyers a three-goal lead early in the second period.

“He’s competitive, and that’s what we love about him,” Konecny said of Michkov.

After the Sharks stormed back in the second and third periods to tie the game, Michkov’s competitive spirit nearly cost the Flyers the game.

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As time was winding down in the third period, Michkov and fellow rookie Macklin Celebrini engaged in a shoving match. Michkov gave Celebrini a healthy jab to the face, which the referees invariably flagged as roughing. As a result, the Flyers had to start the overtime period on a 4-on-3 penalty kill.

As the score would suggest, the Flyers would go on to survive and win the game in the shootout, but the moment will be a teaching moment for the young Michkov.

“I mean, I didn’t say anything to him yet. That’s one of those things I had to figure out, and he’s gonna figure (it) out, too,” Konecny added. “I’m sure sitting in the penalty box in overtime there was enough for him to think twice next time.

“It’s hard to teach the compete, and he’s got it, so it’s good.”

Not without some scares towards the end, it was a successful return to home ice for Michkov and the Flyers. A win is a win, no matter how they come.

“He played good. . .  I wasn’t worried about how he was going to respond,” Tortorella said. “I wasn’t worried about that at all.”

With one goal and one assist, Michkov moved into sixth place all-time in Flyers franchise history with four multi-point games as a teenager, tying Ron Sutter and Bob Kelly. Next on the list are Simon Gagne and Mike Ricci who each had seven.