Photo Credit: FNG’s Rob Windfelder
The Flyers scored seven goals on Saturday afternoon in their victory over the Minnesota Wild. They did give up five goals in doing so, but it’s a big step in the right direction.
The Flyers have played four games since returning from their season opening trip out west. They scored a total of one goal in the first two games back and ten in the last two. Before snapping this six game winless streak the team’s offense has been somewhat disjointed. Games have been peppered with individual efforts that have amounted to a lot of “one and done” chances in the offensive zone. They have not been clicking as a team, as a unit. Today’s outing was much different and so were the results.
Coots
Flyers Captain Sean Couturier who started last Saturday’s home opener as a 4th line winger spent today centering the top line between Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov. Couturier had a five point day notching three goals and two assists. His first goal was his 500th point in the NHL. This was his second career regular season hattrick. It was a banner day for the team captain who hit the nail on the head yesterday when he said, “If I’m going to score, it’s going to be in front of the net.”
That is exactly where he set up his office on Saturday and it was very effective. Konecny and Michkov are both very quick and crafty players. Coots setting up shop in front of the net kept plenty of distraction in front of the Minnesota goaltender and gave Couturier plenty of opportunities to pick up rebounds on the doorstep. He made the most of it
After the game he was complementary of his wingers and also said, “You have those nights sometimes where everything seems to go in and the puck finds you. Just like those rebounds, they seem to just to pop right at me every time. Those are nice and you got to take advantage of those“. And he certainly did.
Travis Konecny
Konecny also had a five point day with one goal and four assists. T.K. leads the team in shots on goal so far this season and has looked pretty much like his regular self even as the team is going through a rough stretch.
Matvei Michkov
Michkov looks to have his spark back the past few games. He had a goal and an assist against the Wild. He is adjusting well to the NHL and is currently tied with Konecny for team points leader. After Saturday’s game Michkov ranks 1st in points and goals among NHL rookies. The top line of Coots, T.k., and Michkov added up for a combined 12 points in this contest.
The Locker Room
This has not been the way that anyone has wanted to start the season but Saturday’s game was a good step towards turning that around. After the game head coach John Tortorella credited the team and their dedication to each other as being what can get them to rise above the current situation.
“When you’re in a situation that we are in right now, at the beginning of the year when this all hits us. We will not get out of it if we start finger pointing, if we start whispering. All stuff that comes with egos and blaming. That doesn’t happen in our locker room. We will not get out of this if it even cracks, and I have full confidence that’s something we will never have to talk about“.
Next Up: The Flyers host the Montreal Canadiens Sunday October 27th, opening faceoff 7PM.
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