Michkov puts healthy scratches in past as Flyers recover to beat

Michkov puts healthy scratches in past as Flyers recover to beat Sharks originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

As Matvei Michkov called to the crowd after his second-period breakaway goal, his return to the lineup was on its way to being a successful one.

And despite coughing up a 3-0 lead, the Flyers survived to make sure Michkov’s performance wasn’t wasted. The 19-year-old helped lead the Flyers to a 4-3 shootout win Monday night over the Sharks at the Wells Fargo Center.

Michkov and Travis Konecny scored in the skills competition.

Michkov was back in force after a couple of healthy scratches. He had an assist to go along with his marker, giving him 12 points (five goals, seven assists) through 14 games.

“The guy loves to play hockey and you can really see it,” Emil Andrae said. “I’m happy for him that he bounced back.”

The Flyers (6-8-2) have earned at least a point in six of their last nine games (5-3-1). Monday night started a stretch in which six of their next seven games come at the Wells Fargo Center.

Konecny and Erik Johnson also scored goals for the Flyers, who could have had three more on the night. They had some misfires and tough bounces in close, which very nearly cost them.

The Flyers gave up the game-tying goal with 2:24 minutes left in regulation and fended off a San Jose power play in overtime. Michkov was whistled for roughing 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini as the third-period buzzer sounded.

“Definitely there are going to be some things we’ve got to clean up, but you can sense that our game’s coming,” Konecny said. “We’re playing more consistently the last four games in the style we want to play and getting better results.”

John Tortorella wanted the Flyers to carry over what they did on their 1-1-1 road trip against three contenders.

“I think where we’re beginning to find ourselves,” the head coach said in the morning, “I’m hoping we can do it another night.”

The Flyers improved to 3-1 in the shootout this season. They’ve gone to the…