PHILADELPHIA – The decision to draft Matvei Michkov with their first pick in 2023 was based on a number of factors.
Perhaps topping the list was his reputation for coming up with big goals in big moments.
That belief was reinforced Saturday afternoon when the Flyers rallied late from a 2-0 deficit to tie their game with the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation time and picked up the winner at 1:06 of overtime from none other than Michkov.
While the Flyers were on a power play, Travis Konecny spotted Michkov charging in from the right side and the 19-year-old Russian made no mistake, burying a shot past goaltender Petr Mrazek for a 3-2 win at the Wells Fargo Center.
Third-period goals from Sean Couturier and Noah Cates tied it and the Flyers went on to even their record on the homestand at 2-2.
The returns of defensemen Cam York and Emil Andrae from injuries helped the Flyers end a two-game losing streak.
After falling behind through two periods, the Flyers started their rally with a goal by Couturier at 7:27 of the third. Couturier won a faceoff, then went to the net and finished off a pass from Rasmus Ristolainen. It’s the only goal Couturier has scored this season outside of a hat trick registered against Minnesota on Oct. 26.
Minutes later, Cates took a pass from Bobby Brink and beat Chicago goalie Petr Mrazek from the top of the slot at 10:05.
Then Michkov, who has played only 19 NHL games and already has two overtime goals (plus a shootout marker), took over.
Through an interpreter, Michkov said what he believes is the reason for why he has a penchant for scoring timely goals.
“It was a great pass (by Konecny), hard not to score,” Michkov said. “There are not many moments you are going to get. When you get moments, you have to be cold-blooded and realize it. Finish it.”
Michkov also scored an overtime winner at Ottawa on Nov. 14. Saturday’s was a little more dramatic because for a long time it looked like the Flyers were going to lose this game.
Coach John Tortorella continues to be impressed by the poise Michkov shows at crucial moments.
“He comes as advertised,” Tortorella said. “We have a lot of information on him from when he played (in the KHL). It’s nice that we have him now because we knew he would be a bit of a (liability) away from the puck.
“It’s a good year that we can have these games to teach but not be overbearing with it to allow him to experience success.”
Chicago’s fourth line, a checking unit at best, produced the game’s first two goals. Lukas Reichel scoring the first and ex-Flyer Patrick Maroon connecting for the second goal.
Maroon scored at 10:01 of the second period. After a missed breakaway at the Philadelphia net, the Flyer defense failed to clear. Reichel wound up with the puck and dished to Maroon for a shot over a stumbling Aleksei Kolosov.
The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead in the first, signifying one again the Flyers’ penchant for falling behind early.
A three-on-two rush found the Flyers on their heels as Maroon threaded a pass through the last pair of defenders and set up a dunk shot by Reichel at 11:29.
The Flyers entered the game 2-8 when an opponent scores first and 1-6 when trailing at the first intermission.
After producing goals in only one game this season, it was encouraging for the Flyers to see Couturier break through to start the rally in the third period.
“It feels good,” he said. “Finally produced. I’ve been getting chances, creating chances and not really finishing as a line (Couturier-Konecny-Owen Tippett). Finally get one and get a big win. Felt good.”
Like many of the other Flyers, Couturier continues to appreciate what Michkov brings to the lineup.
“We’ve seen the offensive side of his game since day one of camp,” the center said. “I think he’s still learning the defensive side of the game but he’s improving every day and he wants to get better. It’s nice to see him kind of grow as a player. I’m sure it’s just the beginning.”
>Short shots
Philadelphia completes the five-game homestand on Monday when the Vegas Golden Knights hit town. . .With York and Andrae back in the lineup, wing Anthony Richard was returned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. . . .Mrazek played briefly for the Flyers during the tail end of the 2017-18 season.
