Matvei Michkov does it again in OT, surging Flyers beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2
Matvei Michkov did it again, proving he’s built for the big moments. The 19-year-old rookie phenom scored his third overtime game-winner of the season, lifting the Flyers to a gritty 3-2 victory over the Blues on Saturday night in St. Louis.
Travis Konecny delivered the setup, making a brilliant play to spring Michkov on a breakaway, and the prized winger did the rest, calmly sealing the win.
Matvei Michkov 3RD OT Winner of the Year:
Overtime success has been a key theme for this Flyers team. After winning just four games in OT last season, they’ve already turned things around, going to extra time in eight of their last 12 games and emerging victorious more often than not.
Their recent stretch, where they’ve gone 8-2-2, has propelled them to a 12-10-3 record. Since October 26, the Flyers boast an 11-5-2 mark, with only the Hurricanes and Capitals picking up more points in that span.
Matvei Michkov continues to shine as the centerpiece of this Flyers resurgence. With a goal and an assist on Saturday, he extended his rookie-leading totals to nine goals, 19 points, and three overtime winners.
He’s also become a power-play force with four goals and five assists on the man advantage. Described by his former coach as a “spotlight player,” Michkov has lived up to the hype, providing the type of talent the Flyers have desperately needed.
In net, Aleksei Kolosov delivered another stellar performance, making 25 saves on 27 shots. The Blues managed to tie the game with just 20 seconds left on a 6-on-4 power play, but Kolosov couldn’t have done much more, especially after making back-to-back saves right before Jake Neighbours found the net.
Over his last three starts, Kolosov has gone 3-0-0 with 69 saves on 75 shots, stepping up big in Samuel Ersson’s absence as Ersson recovers from a lower-body injury.
Despite playing the second night of a back-to-back, the Flyers showed no signs of slowing down. They earned their first win in such situations this season after struggling to an 0-3-0 record earlier, outscored 16-9 in those games. This victory also marked the Flyers’ third win in four days, a stretch where they allowed just five total goals.
The Flyers’ depth was on display, with Owen Tippett and Tyson Foerster both scoring alongside Michkov. Foerster’s goal came just 51 seconds after the Blues tied the game in the second period, showing the resilience that has defined this Flyers squad under John Tortorella.
Tyson Foerster breaks tie in the third:
Konecny, meanwhile, continues his stellar play, ranking among the NHL’s top five scorers since October 23 with 27 points in 19 games.
St. Louis netminder Jordan Binnington was outstanding despite the loss, making 28 saves, including a spectacular glove save to rob Sean Couturier late in the second period. The Blues, now 11-12-2, couldn’t match the Flyers’ energy, as Philly swept the season series, handing Blues coach Jim Montgomery his first loss since taking over in St. Louis.
This Flyers team is hitting its stride at the right time. With Michkov delivering in the clutch, Kolosov solid in net, and Konecny driving the offense, the Flyers are showing they have what it takes to win tough games.
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