The Flyers won their first game of the preseason, 2-0, against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, their first home game and the first game featuring most of their projected NHL lineup.
There was lots to like, from a strong Matvei Michkov performance to a few rookie standouts and a Joseph Woll shutout.
Matvei Magic
Audible excitement filled the air among the sparse crowd as Michkov appeared to think about going for a “Michigan” lacrosse-style goal from behind the net early in the first period. He backed off, and instead helped generate the Flyers’ first sustained offensive possession, ending his shift with a rebound goal.
It was just the first of many positive shifts from Michkov in his first game of the preseason.
“[Michkov], I thought, obviously, he was skating really well, and felt it with the puck still, which was really nice to see,” head coach Rick Tocchet said.
Michkov has mostly been practicing with Noah Cates and Owen Tippett, but his line with Travis Konecny and Christian Dvorak was the Flyers’ best line Thursday. The Russian winger was noticeably quicker on his feet and was active as a passer. After fielding questions and concerns about his fitness heading into last year’s camp, Michkov made a strong start to his third NHL season despite facing the Bruins’ “B-team.”
Power-play positives?
The other massive question facing the Flyers is the state of the power play. After spending significant time in practice the past few days tinkering with their top two units, the Flyers finally got to try at least one of them in an actual game. The results?
“Needs to be better,” Michkov said.
There were definitely things to like, especially from the top unit featuring Jamie Drysdale, Trevor Zegras, Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone, and Michkov. On their first opportunity, they cycled and got two good looks on net, with some creative motion and passing.
“We had a couple good entries,” Martone said. “Pucks are bouncing, but we’ve got a lot of skill on that unit. I think if we put it together, it can work really well.”
Tocchet characterized the power play as “not bad” for the first game. He said the Flyers are going to run with the top unit for a bit, and give the players time to get used to each other. There were already encouraging signs.
“[Michkov], I love that he took it to the net,” Tocchet said. “I know he didn’t score. I don’t care. He took it to the net. … A lot of the best power plays, you’ve got to go low with it.”
The second unit saw more mixed results, to be expected since the absence of players like Owen Tippett, Alex Bump, Noah Cates, and David Jiříček from the lineup meant the group was significantly different from the one that practiced together in camp.
‘The kids are all right’
The absences of those key regulars opened the door for prospect Cole Knuble to get some power-play time. Tocchet said Knuble, one of the few prospects in an NHL-heavy lineup, stacked another good game onto his impressive camp, and is “pushing” for an opportunity. With Denver Barkey injured and questionable for opening night, he might just get one.
Knuble, 22, scored a greasy rebound from in front in the third period after starting the rush with a pass to Jett Luchanko, and he nearly added an empty-netter. His line with Luchanko and Jacob Gaucher carried an expected goals share of 84.77%, according to Natural Stat Trick, and was the Flyers’ best line by that metric.
“My game hasn’t changed game to game or day to day, even,” Knuble said. “That’s important to me, and to always bring that compete and energy and play with pace.”
Luchanko, the Flyers’ 2024 first-round pick, also played a strong game, picking up an assist on Knuble’s goal and making smart plays with the puck using his speed. Based on the numbers, he and Knuble are unlikely to make the NHL roster, but they flashed some great chemistry that the Flyers will likely explorer further in Lehigh Valley.
On a Woll
Joseph Woll, playing his first full game of the preseason, earned a 28-save shutout in his home debut. Dan Vladař’s injury status remains “day-to-day,” so Woll could get a bit of run to start the season.
“He looks big in net,” Tocchet said of his new 6-foot-3, 213-pound netminder. “He made some really good saves, really solid.”
The Flyers play their final game of the preseason Saturday at home against Washington and will ice another lineup primarily made up of NHL regulars. This will represent their final opportunity to test things before they finalize their roster by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline and open up the season Wednesday vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m., TNT/TruTV/HBO Max).
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