Nov 8, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (39) reacts after scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators in the second period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
PHILADELPHIA -- The version of Matvei Michkov that the fans saw on the regular last season made his its first real appearance on Saturday.
Yes, the Flyers lost in overtime, 3-2 to the Ottawa Senators, never seemingly being able to overcome a dreadfully slow start. And while the Flyers will lament not getting that second point in a winnable game, they will take solace in the fact that their budding star player finally is starting to look and feel like himself.
It was all evident on the most important play of the game - a goal scored by Michkov that started the Flyers comeback from a two-goal deficit in the second period.
The goal itself, was a reward for the play that was made by the 20-year-old sniper.
Michkov using his strength to shoulder Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson off stride to beat him to a loose puck. Michkov gathered it, used the little bit of room he created for himself, cut to the middle of the ice, found a crease and let it rip.
Matvei Michkov muscles his way to make it a one goal game 💪
pic.twitter.com/ErOG4VEx9W
"One of the things our staff has stressed since we've been here is body positioning before the puck," coach Rick Tocchet said. "That was classic, what he did. A lot of times guys will just go to the puck and get stripped. We're still a team that has to get better at that but what (Michkov) did is something that we are preaching all the time, and that was textbook."
Not just the physical play, but the quick decision with the puck to recognize he had space and to take advantage of it.
"That'll be on video tomorrow about how you want to do it," Tocchet said.
It's almost as if Michkov just needed that goal in Nashville on Thursday, one that broke a nine-game drought, to feel like himself again.
Although, he admitted that it was the first time he ever had so much time away from training this summer.
"It was truly the first time I was rested for four months," Michkov said through a team interpreter. "My training was not the same. In the beginning of the season, I lost concentration. (But) with every game I'm feeling better and better."
As for that Nashville goal?
"When I scored it felt like it lifted me and I felt light on the ice," he said. "When you think about it (the scoring drought) too much, the body feels heavy. Everything feels heavy."
It was certainly weighing on him. One setback led to another, which led to another, which led to more and more frustration.
This isn't surprising to Tocchet. As a guy who scored a lot of goals and posted a lot of points, he knows what Michkov was feeling when he was snake bitten.
"Any high-level guys that are goal scorers or point guys, you need that 'something' on the scoresheet. ... Even a cheap second assist ignites you."
Hear from Head Coach Rick Tocchet following Saturday's 3-2 OT loss to Ottawa. #OTTvsPHI pic.twitter.com/80BBcIPPKa
It's only two games. It's only two goals. But it seems the first one lifted a weight of Michkov and the second one came in what was easily his best performance of the season, 15 games into it.
And his teammates notice it, too.
"You could tell (today) he was trying to make a lot of plays with the puck and holding on to the puck," said Sean Couturier. "I think he's definitely feeling good about himself."
And the Flyers should start to feel good, too. He still has some catching up to do conditioning-wise, but these last two games are a good jumping off point for the rest of the season for him.
The team has three days off before they play again - another home game against the two--time defending Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers.
It's three more days for Michkov to get some good workouts in so he can keep improving everything about his game, but most importantly, his conditioning.
"Every game feels better and better," Michkov said. "Every game there's more hard work and it's all going to come together soon."
It's starting to look that way.
Don't miss Snow The Goalie, live at Chickie's and Pete's every Wednesday at 6PM. The show will broadcast from a different Chickie's and Pete's location every week throughout the Flyers season. The next show is Wednesday (11/12) and will be at Chickie's and Pete's of South Philadelphia with a special start time of 5PM because of the Flyers game at 7:30pm.
