Photo Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
238 – Magic Michkov & The Flyers Not Playing In Fives
The Flyers have been struggling mightily this season. It’s not that there are no positives to take from the early going of this NHL season, but the disappointment in the Flyers five on five play has been quite prevalent by the numbers and the eye test. The games just haven’t been as interesting from shift to shift as the team has lacked any kind of consistent offensive attack and have been prone to big mistakes that lead to one, two and, sometimes three goals in quick succession that has the team consistently fighting to come back from behind. Tortorella referred to the problem as the team’s inability to play in fives. Referring to moving as a cohesive unite in all even strength situations that have left players trying to do things on an individual effort and that just isn’t a recipe for success at the NHL level.
Some good news of late though is that Matvei Michkov has been lights out looking like the best rookie in the NHL and the best rookie the league has seen since Connor Bedard, living up to his reputation. Not only has Michkov turned into the star we hoped for, but his two linemates Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier have also chipped in their own heroics. Konecny is above a point per game with 5 goals and 5 assists in 9 games and Couturier has 6 points in 9 games after they each pulled off a 5 point game against the red hot Minnesota Wild. While they can’t be relied upon to put up those numbers on a regular basis, it’s obvious that the Flyers found their top line with Konecny, Couturier, and Michkov all leading the way and creating the most opportunities on the roster. On paper they look like they could be the top-line this team has been looking for since Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek departed the team.
On this episode of Gettin’ Gritty Wit It, Yariv and Vasili go through the Flyers current troubles at even strength and how it has held back the team from improving from last season even though they have had solid special teams performances on a nightly basis. How will this affect the Flyers ability to adapt and how will Tortorella get his team back on track to their high volume solid even strength play from last season?
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