Couturier Hits a Career Milestone in Flyers 6-3 Win Vs. Edmonton

The Philadelphia Flyers improved to 25-26-7 in the season after an energetic 6-3 over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon.

Captain Sean Couturier hit a career milestone, Owen Tippett had a multi-goal game, and Matvei Michkov looked sharp in Saturday’s win. Goals from Michkov, Tippett (2x), Couturier, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Rasmus Ristolainen pushed the Flyers over the Oilers.

It was a great all-around effort from Philadelphia; a four-goal second period led the charge for the Flyers.

The Flyers’ captain, Sean Couturier, scored his 200th career goal Saturday afternoon against the Edmonton Oilers.

“It’s something that I am proud of,” Couturier said on scoring goal No. 200. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs over the last couple of years. To get there (goal No. 200) it’s a lot of fun, but it’s a great honor. There’s been a lot of help from teammates and coaches. I just hope I can score another 100 (goals).”

The goal came after an excellent cross-net feed from Michkov. Couturier was able to get his stick on it and bury it home.

Couturier has been with the Flyers since being drafted 8th overall in 2011. After Saturday’s win, Couturier has 200 goals, 336 assists, and 536 points in 850 games played.

The line of Tippett-Couturier-Michkov was absolutely flying all game. The offensive explosiveness of Tippett and Michkov paired well with Couturier’s game, which showed flashes of his 2019/20 Selke Trophy-winning season. By far, this was the Flyers’ best line of the game.

After coming out of the gate fast in the first period, the rust began to show. The second period was a completely different story.

The Flyers played what looked like their best period of hockey thus far this season. A four-goal second period powered the Flyers to a 5-3 lead heading into the second intermission. The Couturier line was dominant all game, but it was eye-popping in the second period.

Owen Tippett had two goals in the period and missed his easiest chance (which would’ve been his third) late in the period. His first goal showcased his best skills: his speed and shot. He burst past the Edmonton defense and fired off a spectacular backhanded shot. His second goal was the product of a fantastic pass from Michkov.

Michkov’s elite vision was on display all game. The Flyers rookie picked up assists on Couturier’s second-period tally, along with Tippett’s second score.

The Flyers’ power play had been sluggish. A hot start quickly faded, and the Flyers found their power-play unit in the basement of the NHL in power-play percentage yet again. Earlier in the week, assistant coach Rocky Thompson said that he thought the addition of Andrei Kuzmenko could boost the team’s struggling unit.

That would prove true Saturday, as the Flyers scored in their first power-play chance (1/2 on the day) of the game.

The Flyers’ top man-advantage unit, which includes Scott Laughton, Travis Konecny, Andrei Kuzmenko, Matvei Michkov, and Rasmus Ristolainen, was moving the puck extremely well. Kuzmenko specifically popped during the first power play. He found himself in all the right areas. A great pass to Travis Konecny behind him led to a shot, which Kuzmenko was able to redirect and bury.

The power-play goal would give the Flyers a 5-3 lead, which would be extended to 6-3 late in the third period by Ristolainen’s empty-netter.

The Flyers stay home, as they are set to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins for the last time at home this season on February 25th.