Instant reactions: Zegras and Michkov DAZZLE in Flyers shootout win over maple Leafs

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The Philadelphia Flyers have won their first game in Toronto since November 2019 with a 3-2 shootout win over the Maple Leafs!

For a bit, it seemed like Noah Cates’ go-ahead goal with five minutes left in regulation would be the winner, but William Nylander tied the game on the power play late in the third, bringing to an end Philly’s streak of 18 consecutive killed penalties.

But never fear, Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras are here! Both scored in the skills competition, while Dan Vladar stopped two of three, after saving 29/31 through 65 minutes, to seal the victory. HOORAY!

First period

Highlight: A power play goal! The Flyers were on the man advantage three times in the first period, and didn’t look bad despite negating their second opportunity after 59 seconds with a too many men call against them. Their third was the least dangerous looking for the majority of the penalty time, but as the advantage was winding down, Denver Barkey was able to come off the LW wall with space, fake shot enough to draw a defender off Noah Cates, opening him up for a pass into the slot. Cates shoveled the puck into the paint and some hard work down low eventually led to Christian Dvorak tying the game with his 13th goal of the season.

What I want to see next period: Be more physical, get to the net and keep firing at Anthony Stolarz. The Leafs have been outscored 15-4 in three games (all regulation losses) since returning from the Olympic break, and for much of the first period, Toronto did not seem all that interested in engaging enough to win a tough game. The Flyers are making a point of getting pucks back to the point, and with some more traffic (and rebound luck) they could net four or five goals tonight.

Second period

Highlight: Craig Berube’s squad looked like a different team to start the middle period- playing physically, creating turnovers and dominating possession after skating like a team playing an exhibition game for most of the first. The Flyers were able to slow the assault after about 10 minutes, but still, their best scoring chance came off the stick of Nic Deslauriers after a turnover in the corner. Once again, Dan Vladar was Philly’s best player, by a wide margin, making save after save to keep the score knotted at one through 40 minutes. Philadelphia was outshot 11-4, and Vladar’s line is 17/18 two-thirds of the way through regulation.

What I want to see next period: Say it with me, folks… “NO OVERTIME!” The puck didn’t drop until 7:45 tonight, and I want this to end, especially after that dreadful second period. Matvei Michkov had a rough middle frame, perhaps he’ll make up for it with a clutch goal in the third. Here’s hoping.

Third period

Highlight: Noah Cates scores the go-ahead goal! He’s got two points on the night and a four-game point streak, unfortunately an 18/18 penalty killing streak came to an end for Philly late in the third, with William Nylander scoring on the power play to send the game to OT, the Flyers’ 20th overtime game of the season.

Overtime

The first 3:30-4 minutes of OT were pretty boring, but a few turnovers each way created opportunities for Auston Matthews and Jamie Drysdale, but Vladar stoned the Leafs’ captain, and Drysdale just missed the target. Dvorak forced a turnover behind the Leafs’ net with five seconds left and nearly set up Trevor Zegras for the winner, but they could not connect. To the shootout we go!

Shootout

William Nylander: goal.

Matvei Michkov: goal.

Auston Matthews: save.

Trevor Zegras: goal.

Max Domi: save.

Flyers win 3-2 in the shootout. Incredible moves by Michkov & Zegras to beat Stolarz, and Vladar stopped 2/3.

Final note: This isn’t exactly breaking news, but neither of these teams are very good. This wasn’t a great game, but it had its moments. But really, without Vladar, the Flyers would be en route to a top-five draft pick. Also, Michkov got a couple of OT shifts, but wasn’t exactly electric in his ice time.

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