Flyers Postgame Blog: Bounce-Back Win Powered by Grit & Goaltending

The action started early with a tilt between Nick Seeler and Evander Kane. Seeler won the battle, but it was the Canucks who started early. In fact, it took the Flyers over 10 minutes into the game to get their first shot on goal.

The Canucks took the early 1-0 lead and had 10 shots before Philadelphia had its first.

However, the Flyers really settled in after that. In fact, their second goal evened the game at 1. From that moment on, it felt like it was all Flyers. The Canucks did not register another shot in the first, while the Flyers just kept getting better.

Dan Vladar was forced to have his A-game early on. He was phenomenal once again. He allowed the first goal of the game and got tested frequently. However, he kept his team in position to win, holding the Canucks to just one more goal for the remainder of the game. Vladar is a big reason the Flyers were able to bounce back for the win, especially down the stretch. Without Vladar, it could have been a very different game.

Read More: Flyers Bounce Back from Sluggish Start, Beat Canucks 6-3

Gritty night for the Flyers

The Flyers showed a ton of grit in their bounce-back effort. It was a tough and physical game. In all honesty, the game had the look of a playoff game, not a regular-season matchup. It seemed like more hits were being thrown, and it was a more aggressive game.

Instead of backing down and dancing around the perimeter, the Flyers were getting inside of the Canucks’ defense and going to the tough areas.

Carl Grunstrom scored the goal that gave the Flyers the lead for the first time in the game from the doorstep. The winger got inside the defense, walked it down to the net, and scored from in close. Travis Konecny’s goal was scored after he got his own rebound just outside of the crease.

Philadelphia had a number of great chances from up close.

The Flyers showed some grit and toughness in a very physical game.

One player who had a particularly good game: Matvei Michkov. Tuesday night might have been his best game of the season. Michkov is very clearly developing chemistry with Noah Cates and Bobby Brink. He set up both players with the primary assist on each of their goals.

Michkov was skating well, making plays, but also had high-danger chances of his own.

There is just one more game left in the month of December. It is a real possibility that Michkov ends this month with just one goal. However, the way he is playing right now, it seems like a breakout is coming any game now.

Other notes from Tuesday

Again, I will keep saying it until it happens. Denver Barkey has continued to come so close to his first NHL goal on so many occasions. Unfortunately for Barkey, it seems every time he has a grade-A scoring chance, a miraculous defensive play saves the day. Barkey continues to impress in his time with the Flyers. His first goal is bound to come eventually.

Nick Seeler looked pretty good once again. Really, since Rasmus Ristolainen has returned to the lineup, Seeler has looked great. He got into the early-game tilt, blocked shots, but was also joining the play at the right time. I really liked what I saw from Nick Seeler on Tuesday.

Carl Grundstrom has been phenomenal. Since his recall replacing Tyson Foerster on the roster, Grunstrom has 7 goals and 8 points in 11 games, including a goal in each of his last four games. He has looked his best when playing with Nikita Grebenkin and Rodrigo Abols. The Flyers’ 4th line had yet another great game.

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