PHILADELPHIA – On a night when it looked like Matvei Michkov might be the star of the game once again, the Washington Capitals played rude guests.
The Flyers took a 3-2 lead into the third period of Thursday night’s game on the strength of Michkov’s two goals.
But Washington, which leads the Eastern Conference in points with 79, scored twice in the third period and handed the Flyers a painful 4-3 defeat at the Wells Fargo Center.
The loss extended the Flyers’ winless streak to five games (0-4-1).
Goaltender Ivan Fedotov played pretty well for the Flyers but was no match for the Caps’ high-powered attack.
With the game tied, 2-2, midway through the second period, Michkov finished off a tic-tac-toe play with Rodgrio Abols and Jamie Drysdale at 11:19. Michkov’s poked a shot beyond the reach of goalie Charlie Lindgren for his 16th goal of the season.
But Lars Eller scored for Washington at 6:23 of the third period to create a third tie. Then the Caps got a goal from Jacob Chychrun, son of former Flyer defenseman Jeff Chychrun, at 12:05 for the game-winner.
Coach John Tortorella hopes the 20-year-old Michkov gets some good rest over the upcoming 10-day 4 Nations Face-off Tournament break. The Flyers will have 10 days off beginning this Sunday.
“It’s been a lot for him,” said Tortorella, mindful that Michkov’s scoring pace has slowed in recent months. “That’s why it’s so good to have him go through some of this stuff this year. He’s a year, two years early.
“To have him see the conditioning that’s needed, the travel; just the fatigue mentally. I hope he has a great break, completely gets away. I think it will do him a lot of good.”
Michkov appears to be adjusting to the long NHL season. He seemed to have plenty of energy in this game, especially with new linemate Rodrigo Abols, a Latvia who speaks fluent Russian.
Abols moved from center to wing for this game, with Scott Laughton sliding over to the pivot.
“Kind of finding myself the first half of the game playing wing again,” Abols said. “Haven’t done that in a while. ‘Michie’ said he felt comfortable that he could talk Russian to me and give his thoughts right away after the shift on the bench because he’s not that comfortable with English yet. The guys here make you feel like you’re part of the team rather than just a little band-aid.”
Michkov still needs an interpreter to converse with the media but it sounds like he’s more engaged in the interview process.
“It was a really good game today,” Michkov said of his performance. “Unfortunately we cannot win. There’s some stuff to improve still. Those goals in the future should help the team to win.”
Prior to Michkov’s go-ahead goal, Tyson Foerster pulled the Flyers even at 7:23 of the second. He tipped an Emil Andrae shot past Lindgren during a Philadelphia power play
Michkov’s first goal was a breakaway score at 17:01. Michkov took a long outlet pass from Travis Sanheim, raced in and beat Lindgren from close range.
It didn’t long for Washington to respond.
Alex Ovechkin, closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s NHL-record 894 goals, scored his 879th with a shot from the hash marks at 19:07. Ovechkin took a pinpoint pass from Martin Fehervery and sent a shot past Fedotov.
In the second period, Washington’s Connor McMichael tipped in an Aliaksei Protas shot for a 2-1 Caps’ lead.
As time was running out, Foerster had one more crack at a possible tying goal at the doorstep but Lindgren dove over in time to block his way.
“I thought I had two or three whacks at it,” Foerster explained. “Just wasn’t able to bury it.
“I think we played a pretty good game tonight. They’re a pretty good team and we took them to the end. I think we can go up against anyone.”
>Short shots
The Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center on Saturday night when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins in their final game before the 4 Nations break. After that game, they don’t resume game action until Feb. 22.
