Flyers Game
Flyers Grades: Who Stood Out Amidst the Tuesday Night Chaos?
Amidst the chaos of the Keystone State Rivalry, the Philadelphia Flyers got some great performances from their team on Tuesday. Some guys, like Bobby Brink, have been a shining part of the Flyers’ success all season.
Other players, like Jamie Drysdale, have quietly been a big reason why the team has five wins this season.
Goaltending has been another critical factor in the team’s success, while the Flyers are still looking to find production from specific key contributors from last season.
Let’s grade some of the Flyers’ performances from Tuesday night.
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Bobby Brink: A+
It was Bobby Brink’s turn to be the star of the show on Tuesday. Brink got the scoring started for the Flyers on the power play in the second period. He also generated the play that led to Travis Konecny’s goal, scored the shootout-winner, and played a heck of a 200-foot game.
Brink was perfect on Tuesday.
It’s not a Flyers game if someone from the Cates line isn’t noticeable. Tuesday was Brink’s turn.
From the jump, you could tell what kind of game it was going to be for him. The Flyers’ winger was everywhere, and I mean, EVERYWHERE. Brink was making an impact defensively, breaking down Pittsburgh plays. He was generating rushes and, of course, scoring.
This was one of the best single-game performances I have seen from Bobby Brink.
Jamie Drysdale: A
We have quietly been witnessing the Jamie Drysdale breakout season. Drysdale has been spectacular all season. Tuesday night was just a continuation of how well he has been playing.
Drysdale used his high-end skating to create many chances. He was moving the puck, both as a passer and a carrier. His reads were spot on, and he was a big part of the Flyers moving the puck up the ice.
Offense has always been his forte, but Drysdale has been coming into his own defensively this season as well. While he is not the perfect defender, Dyrsdale has been getting involved in plays, becoming physical, and getting in the way of shots. Tuesday night was a very sound defensive game from the Flyers’ blueliner.
Drysdale is coming along nicely this season.
Sam Ersson: B+
Sam Ersson let in a goal that he should not have allowed in Justin Brazeau’s game-opening score. However, that’s all you can fault him for.
Crosby’s goal was quite literally the result of puck luck. What certainly looked like a pass bounced up and deflected off Nick Seeler and over Ersson’s shoulder and into the net. You cannot blame the goalie for that one.
Ersson settled in well after the first tally and kept his composure after a rough goal to give up in the second one.
He stood tall while the Penguins were up a man in overtime, and once again proved to be a great shootout goaltender. I don’t think it’s a stretch anymore to say that the goalie competition is still very much alive.
Read More: James: Sam Ersson Keeping Flyers’ Goalie Competition Alive
Travis Konecny: B
Travis Konecny got a huge monkey off his back and finally found the back of the net for his second goal this season. It was no small goal either, as it was No. 200 in his NHL career.
It was great to see Konecny get on the scoresheet. However, he could have done more for the Flyers on Tuesday.
I don’t want to nitpick, because he did score on Tuesday. There is not a whole lot more you can ask of him. However, it was another game where he had plenty of chances to score, but could not convert.
Getting his second goal of the season is a move in the right direction. Focus shifts to Thursday to see if he can build off it.
Matvei Michkov: C+
Tuesday’s game was a very weird one for Matvei Michkov. At times, you could say it was his best game of the season.
At other times, you look at the scoresheet and realize he had five giveaways.
Michkov has not had the start to the season that he had hoped for. His offseason ankle injury put him behind in his training, and has him starting much slower than anticipated.
The Flyers’ sophomore phenom had moments of brilliance, like his shootout goal or his great chance set up by Zegras. There were also moments of disappointment, like poor decision-making.
Michkov’s game did not look that bad, but the fact of the matter is nobody else had come close to five giveaways. He has to clean things up on Thursday against Nashville.
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Brink was a draft steal who is going to thrive under Tocchet.
Zebras deserved an a plus too. He made Elton John look like Troy Crowder in Anaheim but parachuted right into this rivalry.
Crosby’s goal wasntvouckluck. For 2 decades, every even strength score he scores is an inch from the crease yet onky the Bruins have realizedthis in that time. Everyonejust stares at him behind the netcand act surprisedwhen he scores.
Speak8ng of surprises, refs called Malken for slashing a player’s wrist. Welcome to the NHL, hes done that too for a decade. Next they see Letang putting his stick betweenna player’slegs very close to a certainarea everytime someoneskates gy him..
Great to see both Brink and Drysdale shine. I think Drysdale being fully healthy has a lot to do with his resurgence.
On an unrelated topic I’ve been wondering if the key to our draft last summer could be Nesbitt. Could he be a #2 center? Just like every baseball team has a #1 pitcher, not every #1 is an “ace”, every hockey team may have their #1 center but they may not be a superstar. Does Nesbitt project as a #1/#2?