Flyers Postgame Report: Michkov Scores Twice, Flyers Fall to Capitals

With all eyes on Alex Ovechkin in his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky‘s all-time goal record, the Flyers 20-year-old Russian rookie upstaged the legendary scorer. But in the end, the team with the best points percentage in the NHL continued their run of success.

A two-goal third period for the Capitals was the difference, as the Flyers suffered a fifth straight loss, 4-3, on Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.

Shots were limited through much of the first period, as both teams finished with seven apiece. It took until the final three minutes of the opening period for either team to get on the board.

The Flyers struck first at 17:31, as Matvei Michkov was behind the defense and scored on a breakaway for his 15th of the season to make it 1-0.

In the final minute of the period, at 19:07, Ovechkin cut the margin to the all-time goal record down to 15. Off a rush, Ovechkin was the trailer, scoring his 879th career goal to make it 1-1.

The Capitals struck to take the lead early in the second. At 4:17, Aliaksei Protas set up Connor McMichael for a redirection at the side of the net. It was McMichael’s 19th goal of the season.

The Flyers tied the game back up on the power play at 7:23. Emil Andrae fired a one-timer that was deflected in by Tyson Foerster for his 15th goal of the season to even things at two.

The Flyers were back in front at 11:19. Off a rush, Rodrigo Abols made a brilliant back-door pass to Michkov for his second of the game and 16th of the season to make it 3-2.

Through two periods, shots were 13-11 Flyers.

The Capitals got the game tied back up at 6:23 of the third. Off a failed clear by Travis Konecny, Lars Eller scored his 10th of the season.

At 12:05, Washington took the lead again as Jakob Chychrun beat Ivan Fedotov for his 14th of the season to make it 4-3.

A late push by the Flyers fell short, as Charlie Lindgren made a pair of saves in close in the final seconds to seal the result. Lindgren finished with 19 saves on 22 shots in the win. Fedotov made 14 saves on 18 shots in the loss.

Chychrun had a goal and an assist while Taylor Raddysh had two assists for the Capitals.

The Flyers play one more game before the break for the 4 Nations Face-off. They are back on the ice on Saturday night to face the Pittsburgh Penguins at 7 p.m.

Box Score

Scoring Summary

1st Period

• PHI Matvei Michkov (15) (Travis Sanheim) 17:31
• WSH Alex Ovechkin (26) (Martin Fehervary, Dylan Strome) 19:07

2nd Period

• WSH Connor McMichael (19) (Aliaksei Protas, Jakob Chychrun) 4:17
• PHI Tyson Foerster (15) PP (Emil Andrae, Travis Konecny) 7:23
• PHI Michkov (16) (Rodrigo Abols, Jamie Drysdale) 11:19

3rd Period

• WSH Lars Eller (10) (Taylor Raddysh) 6:23
• WSH Chychrun (14) (John Carlson, Raddysh) 12:05

Game Statistics