PHILADELPHIA — In an exciting matchup on Saturday, the Flyers rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period, ultimately defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 after Matvei Michkov’s power-play goal in overtime.
The decisive moment came just one minute and six seconds into the extra period. Michkov executed a well-executed play, receiving a pass from Travis Konecny on the back post, before driving the puck into the net.
In the third period, the Flyers faced a daunting situation down 2-0. However, Sean Couturier and Noah Cates stepped up for the team, netting goals within 2 minutes and 38 seconds of each other to level the score. This was a notable moment for Couturier, who scored his first goal in 14 games, while Cates celebrated his first goal of the current season.
Making his first NHL victory memorable, goalie Aleksei Kolosov contributed significantly to the win with 19 saves. On the opposing side, the Blackhawks’ efforts saw Lukas Reichel and Patrick Maroon find the net, but the team faced disappointment, marking their fourth loss in five games.
Chicago’s Petr Mrazek had a busy night in goal, turning away 34 shots from the Flyers, but the team ultimately fell short against Philadelphia’s late-game resilience.
Key observations from the game highlighted the Blackhawks’ fourth line, which featured Reichel, Craig Smith, and Maroon. This trio made their presence known, combining for both Chicago goals and accounting for eight of the team’s 21 shots.
For the Flyers, they have had a tough time finding the back of the net this season; however, it was noted that they have been effective when facing late-game deficits, showcasing their fighting spirit.
A pivotal moment occurred when Alex Vlasic committed a crucial holding penalty, which set up the Flyers for their overtime power play. This penalty stemmed from a turnover caused by Blackhawks star Connor Bedard in his team’s zone.
In terms of standout performances, Scott Laughton, despite not scoring, had a notable impact on the game. He led his team with eight shots on goal and was tied for the most hits, registering four.
Looking ahead, the Blackhawks will have a break until Wednesday when they host the Dallas Stars at home. Meanwhile, the Flyers will continue their homestand, facing off against the Vegas Golden Knights this coming Monday.