Matvei Michkov did not play a single shift in overtime during the Flyers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on December 11, 2025, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Quick Game Recap
- Final Score: Vegas Golden Knights 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
- Key Moments: The Flyers tied the game 2-2 in the third period on a goal from Sean Couturier (assisted by Travis Konecny and Owen Tippett). Vegas’ Mark Stone scored the winner at 2:47 of overtime on a wrist shot after a neutral-zone turnover. The game was a defensive battle, with Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar stopping 28 of 31 shots. The game winner came from the gaffe made by Travis Konecny.
- Flyers Stats: They outshot Vegas 32-31 overall but went 0-for-3 on the Power Play. Konecny had a goal and an assist, while Couturier’s tally was his fifth of the season.
Michkov’s Usage in the Game
- Total Ice Time: 14:22 across 18 shifts—below his season average of about 14:50.
- Breakdown:
- 1st Period: ~4:30 (solid even-strength shifts).
- 2nd Period: ~3:45 (limited, including some power-play time).
- 3rd Period: Just 3:45 in a tied game, with no shifts after the 10-minute mark (he was benched late alongside Tippett during a crucial power play).
- Overtime: 0:00—no shifts in the 3-on-3 period.
- Michkov finished with 0 goals, 0 assists, Two shots on goal, and a -1 rating. He was held in check by Vegas’ top defensive pair (Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo), but his line generated some chances earlier.
Why Was He Sat in OT, and the Power Play?
Head coach Rick Tocchet’s line decisions in crunch time have sparked debate among Flyers fans (and on X, where it’s blowing up).
Rick Tocchet on why he pulled Matvei Michkov and Owen Tippett off the PP:
“It was to keep their line with chemistry. They weren’t doing much anyway. I can name 10 guys that didn’t do it. You guys can write whatever story, it is what it is, we have to figure it out.”
- Defensive Mindset: Tocchet leaned on “safe” lines in OT—primarily the Konecny-Couturier-Tippett trio and a defensive pairing with Cam York and Jamie Drysdale—to protect the tie and avoid turnovers. Michkov’s high-skill, high-risk style (he’s tied for the team lead with 8 goals but leads in giveaways) might not fit Tocchet’s “grit-first” OT philosophy.
- Recent Trends: This isn’t isolated. Michkov has been limited in late regulation and OT in several close games this season (e.g., benched for stretches in the Nov. 13 OT loss to Edmonton and the Nov. 10 OT loss to Ottawa). Tocchet has praised Michkov’s speed and scoring but emphasized “team plays” and defensive reliability—echoing past comments that blew up on social media.
Broader Context for Michkov
- Season So Far: In 27 games, Michkov has 16 points (8G, 8A), ranking third on the Flyers. He’s a Calder Trophy contender but averaging lower ice time than vets like Konecny (18:45) or Tippett (17:20). His OT history is electric—he’s already notched 3 OT goals as a teen (fourth-most ever for under-20s), including winners vs. the Blues and others.
- What’s Next?: The Flyers (16-10-3) host Carolina on Dec. 13. If Tocchet sticks to this, expect more grumbling; a hot streak from Michkov could force his hand in big minutes. He’s too dynamic to sit forever—last season’s playoff push showed skill wins out.
The bottom line is, Matvei Michkov is one of the most talented, offensively gifted players. Yes, he wasn’t playing a great game against the Vegas Golden Knights, while the game headed to overtime, however, Michkov is always a threat to score, especially at 3-on-3.
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