The Philadelphia Flyers saw a 2-0 lead slip away in the second period and could not close out a 3-2 edge over the Edmonton Oilers in a nationally televised game in Edmonton on Tuesday evening. Ultimately, the Oilers prevailed in overtime, 4-3, for their first win of the 2024-25 season.
The Flyers dropped to 1-1-1 on their season opening road trip. They will need a victory in Seattle on Thursday to bring a winning record home from the four-game trip.
The most memorable performance on Tuesday night came from 19-year-old Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov. The Russian teenager scored a pair of first period power play goals -- one a jam-in at the post from just below the goal line, the second on a one-timer from the right circle for his first two regular season goals in the NHL.
In addition to his two tallies, Michkov fearlessly blocked two shots in this game from a distance. He also rushed a puck toward the net, creating a power play. He had five shots on goal.
Morgan Frost, who collected the secondary helper (Owen Tippett had the primary assist) on Michkov's first goal, nicely teed up the one-timer that Michkov ripped into the net for a 2-0 lead in the first period. In the third period, Frost made two clutch blocks and backhanded pass to start a breakout. The only blemish on his night was a rough night on faceoffs (6-for-17) after a strong faceoff performance in Calgary on Sunday.
The Oilers had several near misses in the second period -- three shots rang off the post or the crossbar -- and goalie Samuel Ersson bailed the Flyers out on a couple of turnovers with strong saves. Eventually, however, Edmonton broke through for goals by Adam Henrique (1st) and Connor Brown (1st).
Late in the second period, the Flyers let a 40-second 5-on-3 power play slip away. However, shortly after five-on-five play resumed, Bobby Brink's right side shot (1st) went off defenseman Mattias Ekholm and deflected into the net. The assists went to Egor Zamula and Joel Farabee (points in each of the season's first three games).
The Flyers seemed poised in the third period to find a way to close out a victory. It wasn't to be.
After Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were held off the scoresheet -- and very quiet in general except for undisciplined play by Draisaitl -- the two Edmonton superstars figured directly in the tying and winning goals for their team.
At 16:18, Evan Bouchard pinched in on the weak side (weak side winger Brink was focused elsewhere) and forced overtime. The helpers went to MacDavid and Draisaitl.
Flyers head coach John Totortorella took a risk in overtime by send out two wingers (Michkov and Travis Konecny) and no center along with defenseman Travis Sanheim. Edmonton had McDavid and Draisaitl as their forwards. The gamble nearly paid a dividend as Sanheim had a scoring chance off the rush.
But as Sanheim wiped out, all three Flyers skaters were caught behind a McDavid breakaway. Ersson made the save but help was late to arrive as McDavid reclaimed the puck and fed an oncoming Draisaitl (2nd) for the game winner.
For more highlights, stats, and a period by period synopsis,see the
Postgame 5 on PhiladelphiaFlyers.com.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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