The Philadelphia Flyers (31-36-9) captured a three-game winning streak four times this season with John Tortorella. In his first three games as the interim head coach of the Flyers, Brad Shaw matched Tortorella’s best run in 2024-2025.
“We’ve competed hard [in] almost every game that I’ve been here [Philadelphia]. I’m not surprised; the Poehling shot blocks. Crazy. Courageous. It’s something that’s been a part of this team for as long as I’ve been here and [I] get to feed off of what was already embedded, with what Torts [Tortorella] had done. Shot blocking is a big element of how he coaches and wants his team to play. There’s a lot of carryover from past experience.” – Brad Shaw; 3/31/2025
A close victory versus the Nashville Predators (27-39-8) swept the season series in favor of Philadelphia. Ivan Fedotov didn’t play the cleanest game, but his stat line (1-0-0; 1GAA, 96.6%SV) is refreshing compared to any of the last ten by Sam Ersson. Jamie Drysdale scored the game-winner.
Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov notched two assists in a multi-point performance. It looked as if the Flyers allowed Michkov a longer leash on the attack, putting him on a line with Konecny and Sean Couturier to take the defensive responsibilities. On each scoring play, Michkov repaid his linemates, using his terrific attacking instinct. Michkov also checked around the neutral zone to generate the potential breakaway. He’s the superior even-strength NHL rookie skater, and with 11 points (4G, 7A) on a six-game point streak, Michkov must be atop the Calder Memorial Trophy charts.
Challenging for the Calder Memorial Trophy isn’t his focus, however:
“There’s six games left; not worried. I would like to really enjoy the hockey at the moment. I’m coming on the ice and enjoying what I do. That’s most important to me. Win, or not win, [the] Calder is not that important right now.” – Matvei Michkov; 3/31/2025
In franchise history, Philadelphia never had a Calder Memorial Trophy winner. Artemi Panarin, with the Chicago Blackhawks, finished ahead of Shayne Gostisbehere when he donned the ‘Orange and Black’ in 2016. Michkov could be the first to bring the Calder Memorial Trophy to the Flyers, and it’s not on the priority list. He’s dialed in with his teammates for the remaining six games before a vital offseason.
First Period
Shots: 8-7, Flyers
Score: 0-0
Garnet Hathaway returned to the lineup, competing in his 600th NHL game. On his first shift, Hathaway looked comfortable. Typically, Hathaway plays a physical, high-energy style. Immediately, he began hot on the forecheck.
During the first period, Konecny and Michkov each came within inches of scoring. Konecny beat Justus Annunen, but hit the post. Michkov nearly snuck a shot past Annunen, but the puck drifted inches outside of the post.
Brady Skjei served a minor penalty for tripping. Philadelphia cycled the puck around the offensive zone, especially with the five-forward format used in the top powerplay unit. Annunen stopped Tyson Foerster at the crease, denying an intense attack. The Flyers finished 0/1 (0%) on the powerplay but gained speed and momentum.
Soon after, Michkov did an impression of DeVonta Smith, catching the puck flipped by Konecny for a breakaway, but Annunen made the save. Then, Owen Tippett got on his horse down the wing, escaping each defender to create a brief but eventually broken up, odd-man rush. The bulk of scoring chances were Philadelphia’s.
“They’re [Michkov, Konecny] certainly looking for one another. They’re feeding off one another’s success. The aerial pass that TK sends him in on for his breakaway; that’s a high-grade, quality offensive play on both ends. To conjure that up, and then to actually execute it; we probably get a little unlucky that it doesn’t roll in the net. They realize that they’re a little bit on the same wavelength on how they think they’re going to create offense, especially once they’re crossing the offensive blue line. They’ve shown patience and an ability to get open for the other. The offense can continue instead of getting stifled. That’s a really nice thing to see because they’re making something out of nothing sometimes, or they’re keeping the offense going longer than the defense can withstand it, and they’re getting some glorious chances because of it.” – Brad Shaw; 3/31/2025
Second Period
Shots: 23-13, Predators
Score: 2-1, Flyers
Fedotov aggressively played the puck throughout this tilt. Between the pipes, he posted a winning performance. Fedotov allowed just one rebound. However, he nearly turned the puck over behind the net and outside of the crease on a few occasions.
“He [Fedotov] battled. Coming off a couple of tough ones for him, he worked to see the puck. There’s a couple of puck touches to clean up, but sometimes that’s as much the [defense] as it is the goaltender. When he seems to play well, he reminded me of the game in Winnipeg [Jets] where he made some real tough, big moment saves that gave us a chance to make a mistake and not have to pick it out of our net. For a team [the Flyers] that’s kind of where we are right now, that can really go a long way to getting you the victory.” – Brad Shaw; 3/31/2025
Ryan Poehling put the Flyers ahead, 1-0, with 11:10 remaining in the second period. Michkov entered, used his cunning vision, and dished to Konecny. Konecny made the quick dish to Poehling through the slot for the tip-in score.
Travis Sanheim served a minor penalty for holding. Poehling remained a workhorse, clearing the puck out of the defensive zone. Fedotov and Nick Seeler fought off the remainder of the Predators’ powerplay. Philadelphia finished 1/1 (100%) on the powerplay.
Zachary L’Heureux answered not long after the Flyers killed Nashville’s powerplay. Michael McCarron crashed the crease, and L’Heureux scored the rebound, 1-1, with 6:46 remaining in the second period. However, Fedotov didn’t lose composure.
Drysdale recaptured the lead for Philadelphia, scoring the eventual game-winner, 2-1, with 6:12 remaining in the second period. Michkov nabbed the rebound from the initial shot by Drysdale. The puck rolled off Michkov’s stick, and Drysdale took another shot at Annunen, scoring on his follow-up.
Similar to the end of the first period, Tippett was like a hot knife through butter. It felt like he would break through onto the stat sheet. Rodrigo Ābols also launched into a breakaway, which wasn’t on the bingo card. Annunen made that save.
Third Period
Shots: 29-18, Predators
Score: 2-1, Flyers
Tippett, Poehling, and Jakob Pelletier showed their speed throughout this game. On the entry, Tippett was into his bag of tricks, trying a backhanded spin-o-rama. The only forward on this line to appear on the stat sheet was Poehling, but if anyone deserved a chance at an empty-net goal, it was Tippett.
To secure the win, Fedotov had to make a few game-defining saves. Without his stick, he covered the puck with his blocker to stop the Predators’ momentum. Then, Fedotov stopped Steven Stamkos and Michael Bunting at point-blank range.
Andrew Brunette pulled Annunen. Bobby Brink missed inches wide of the empty net, and Sanheim snapped his stick on another attempt. However, the Flyers denied Nashville’s six-on-five advantage to hold on for the win.
Up Next
Next, the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Montréal Canadiens on Saturday at 7:00pm/ET.
