Matvei Michkov busts out; Ivan Fedotov not good enough in loss to Caps
The Flyers were 13 minutes, 37 seconds away from a win against the top team in the Eastern Conference. However, goalie Ivan Fedotov gave up two goals to the Washington Capitals in the third period, leading to a 4-3 loss. Philly has now lost five straight and seven of eight, getting outscored 28-11. Here are three takeaways.
The Flyers were 13 minutes, 37 seconds away from a win against the top team in the Eastern Conference. However, goalie Ivan Fedotov gave up two goals to the Washington Capitals in the third period, leading to a 4-3 loss. Philly has now lost five straight and seven of eight, getting outscored 28-11. Here are three takeaways.
1. Michkov's fire is still there
It is easy to say that Thursday night was Matvei Michkov's best game in a long time. The Russian phenom played 19:32, the most since skating 19:47 against Vegas on Nov. 18. With Alex Ovechkin in the house, he potted two goals on six shots.
1. Michkov's fire is still there
It is easy to say that Thursday night was Matvei Michkov's best game in a long time. The Russian phenom played 19:32, the most since skating 19:47 against Vegas on Nov. 18. With Alex Ovechkin in the house, he potted two goals on six shots.
"When you score, it pumps you up," Michkov said through a team translator. Well, even before burying a breakaway and a tap-in, the rookie came out with some pep in his step. In the first 5 minutes, he had two Grade A chances and finished with 12 shot attempts. "He played really well," coach John Tortorella said afterward.
"When you score, it pumps you up," Michkov said through a team translator. Well, even before burying a breakaway and a tap-in, the rookie came out with some pep in his step. In the first 5 minutes, he had two Grade A chances and finished with 12 shot attempts. "He played really well," coach John Tortorella said afterward.
2. Rodrigo Ābols should stick around
The 29-year-old rookie has impressed in his eight NHL games. Two nights after his first goal, the Latvian notched his first assist with a pretty shot-pass to Michkov to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead. "They look good together," Tortorella said.
2. Rodrigo Ābols should stick around
The 29-year-old rookie has impressed in his eight NHL games. Two nights after his first goal, the Latvian notched his first assist with a pretty shot-pass to Michkov to give the Flyers a 3-2 lead. "They look good together," Tortorella said.
Tortorella switched Ābols, whom he called a "smart player," to wing with Sean Couturier and Michkov. Not a bad move considering Ābols speaks Russian, and the duo was spotted at one point going over a faceoff play on a whiteboard. Ābols took some blame for the fourth goal, saying he has a "very sour taste in the mouth."
Tortorella switched Ābols, whom he called a "smart player," to wing with Sean Couturier and Michkov. Not a bad move considering Ābols speaks Russian, and the duo was spotted at one point going over a faceoff play on a whiteboard. Ābols took some blame for the fourth goal, saying he has a "very sour taste in the mouth."
3. The Flyers needed more saves
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Flyers had 58.24% of the shot attempts, 60% of the scoring chances, a 17-6 advantage in high-danger chances, and 69.53% of the expected goals for. Despite that lopsidedness, they did not win.
3. The Flyers needed more saves
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Flyers had 58.24% of the shot attempts, 60% of the scoring chances, a 17-6 advantage in high-danger chances, and 69.53% of the expected goals for. Despite that lopsidedness, they did not win.
"I thought we played a [heck] of a game," said Tyson Foerster, who scored a power-play goal. Obviously not happy postgame, Tortorella could only muster a "Yes," when asked if they just needed that one more save. Fedotov allowed four goals on 18 shots, including two on seven in the final frame — one being a low-danger goal.
"I thought we played a [heck] of a game," said Tyson Foerster, who scored a power-play goal. Obviously not happy postgame, Tortorella could only muster a "Yes," when asked if they just needed that one more save. Fedotov allowed four goals on 18 shots, including two on seven in the final frame — one being a low-danger goal.