Michkov, Couturier, and Tippett lead Flyers to 6-3 win over Oilers
PHILADELPHIA — — Matvei Michkov and Sean Couturier each had a goal and two assists, Owen Tippett scored a pair of goals and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-3 on Saturday.
In the first game back from the 4 Nations break for both teams, Michkov opened the scoring in the first period when he followed up his own missed shot and put the rebound past Stuart Skinner, who made 26 saves.
In the second period, Michkov made two no-look passes that turned into Flyers’ goals. He found Couturier with a cross-ice pass on the door step and later with a pass into the slot for Tippett’s second tally on a 2-on-none breakaway.
Couturier’s goal was the 200th of his career.
Tippett also scored on a breakaway earlier in the second period, for his first goal in a month. Tippett missed the last five games with an upper-body injury.
Andrei Kuzmenko and Rasmus Ristolainen also scored for Philadelphia.
Leon Draisaitl scored his league-leading 41st goal of the season for Edmonton. John Klingberg and Mattias Ekholm also scored for the Oilers.
Philly’s Samuel Ersson made 15 saves.
Takeaways
Oilers: Matt Savoie made his debut for the Oilers and picked up the primary assist on Draisaitl’s goal. It was the second career game for Savoie, who was a first-round pick by Buffalo in 2022.
Flyers: Four Flyers returned from injury in the game and a fifth, Jakob Pelletier, played his first game for Philadelphia after being acquired in a trade with Calgary.
Key moment
In a back-and-forth second period, a neutral zone turnover by Edmonton — a puck bounced over defenseman Brett Kulak’s stick — led to the breakaway that resulted in Tippett’s game-winner.
Key stat
The Flyers held Connor McDavid without a point in the game.
Up Next
The Oilers visit the Washington Capitals on Sunday while the Flyers are off until Tuesday night when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Edmonton Oilers
Philadelphia Flyers
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Regular Season Series
Game Information
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NHL News
Series tied 1-1
| 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDM | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| PHI | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| Team | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas | 33 | 17 | 6 | 72 |
| Edmonton | 34 | 18 | 4 | 72 |
| Los Angeles | 29 | 17 | 7 | 65 |
| Vancouver | 26 | 18 | 11 | 63 |
| Calgary | 26 | 21 | 8 | 60 |
| Anaheim | 24 | 24 | 6 | 54 |
| Seattle | 24 | 29 | 4 | 52 |
| San Jose | 15 | 35 | 7 | 37 |
| Team | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 36 | 11 | 8 | 80 |
| Carolina | 33 | 19 | 4 | 70 |
| New Jersey | 31 | 20 | 6 | 68 |
| Columbus | 26 | 22 | 8 | 60 |
| NY Rangers | 27 | 24 | 4 | 58 |
| NY Islanders | 25 | 23 | 7 | 57 |
| Philadelphia | 25 | 26 | 7 | 57 |
| Pittsburgh | 23 | 25 | 9 | 55 |
PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers at Flyers
The Oilers will begin a five-game road trip on the East Coast coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break with the first of back-to-back games on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center against the Flyers
© 2023 Getty Images
PHILADELPHIA, PA – As Edmonton’s NHL schedule gets set to resume on Saturday afternoon against the Flyers, we’d be remiss starting anywhere other than Thursday’s incredible Canadian triumph made possible by Captain Connor.
Connor McDavid notched the tournament-winning goal for Canada during the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off and is poised to rejoin the Oilers in Philadelphia to a hero’s welcome when their five-game road trip begins with the first of back-to-back games this weekend against the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
The entire hockey world, including McDavid’s teammates and coaches who all watched on together from the City of Brotherly Love, witnessed him deliver history by firing Canada to a 3-2 win over the United States with a top-shelf finish from the slot at 11:42 of overtime.
It was a gratifying moment for every one of McDavid’s Oilers teammates knowing exactly what it means to him, the Blue & Orange and hockey as a whole.
Savoie will debut as the Oilers begin a five-game trip against the Flyers
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, a regular linemate of McDavid’s in Edmonton, was on the edge of his seat along with everyone else and was glad to see his country and compatriot claim an exciting win that keeps Canada at the top of the highest echelon of the sport.
“Yeah, it was awesome,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “We were watching together, obviously pretty nervous, but you’re cheering for Canada and of course you’re cheering for Connor, and to see him get that was pretty special.”
“Not a lot of talking when the game was on. Everybody was pretty dialed in, but we went pretty nuts when that went in, so a lot of fun to see that for him and for Canada. You don’t really doubt that he’s going to do something like that, so just always fun to see him have a performance like that.”
Head Coach Kris Knoblauch, who’s coached McDavid in the OHL with the Erie Otters and now in the NHL with the Oilers, echoed Nugent-Hopkins’ comments, saying he was ecstatic both as a coach and Canadian to see his team’s captain make the difference – just like he always does in Edmonton.
“The staff and I were at the hotel watching the game and obviously, we were very invested,” he said. “We were very excited that Connor scored the goal, and I know there were a lot of high fives and a lot of excitement to see him score.
“Our table was full of Canadians, so we were cheering for them, but also extremely happy that Connor got that goal.”
Kris discusses the lineup & McDavid’s goal after practice on Friday
It’s nothing new for McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins added, as they get to see it every day in Edmonton.
“The level that he expects from himself every night,” he said. “We were watching and we thought he played well. He obviously has different standards for himself, being the player he is, but even if he’s not feeling it, to stick with it and come out with one of the biggest goals of his whole professional life shows the kind of character he has.”
What’s even less surprising is that McDavid said he has no intentions to celebrate long, because there’s a road trip for the Oilers that begins less than 48 hours later in Philly.
McDavid wasn’t on the ice for practice on Friday at the Flyers Training Center, but shortly after the skate began, he was touching down in Philadelphia to get situated for the start of their long five-game road trip that begins Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center.
Once again, nothing new.
“Connor never wants to take any time off. He’s always wants to play. He always wants to be with his team,” Knoblauch said. “He’s always contributing, whether that’s a game or giving him an option on a practice. I’ve given him many options to [take a break], saying ‘Hey, maybe the minutes were high last night. Maybe you’re better off to not practice the next day,’ but he’s always wanting to be part of the team and not take time off.”
Ryan talks McDavid’s OT goal & more following Friday’s practice
The Oilers are expected to have a new addition to their top six on Saturday in forward Matt Savoie, who will make his Oilers debut on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin when they close out the season series with the Flyers to begin their season-long five-game road trip.
The 21-year-old from St. Albert is an offensively-gifted and fast forward who’s earned an opportunity to impress in the NHL after recording 37 points in 45 AHL games this season with the Bakersfield Condors.
“Not a whole lot of young guys on the team, so it’s good to have some young energy, but he’s a great kid,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “Really good hockey player. Sees the ice so well, and also his skill level’s off the charts. So fun to see. I look forward to seeing him in the game.”
Knoblauch confirmed Stuart Skinner will get the start on Saturday, and he’s 3-0-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .938 SV% all-time against the Flyers after making 27 saves on 30 shots in their previous meeting this season – a 4-3 overtime win for the Oilers at Rogers Place on Oct. 15.
News Feed
GAME RECAP: Flyers 6, Oilers 3
PROJECTED LINEUP: Savoie to make Oilers debut on Saturday against Flyers
4 NATIONS: McDavid scores OT winner for Canada in final to defeat the United States
BLOG: Savoie prepared for Oilers opportunity coming out of the break
4 NATIONS: McDavid & Canada hold off Finland to earn rematch with United States
4 NATIONS: McDavid’s goal not enough for Canada in 3-1 defeat to United States
4 NATIONS: McDavid & Canada edge Sweden in OT thriller
4 NATIONS: Ekholm excited for challenge of defending McDavid on international stage
4 NATIONS: McDavid settles in with Team Canada during Monday’s first practice
GAME RECAP: Avalanche 5, Oilers 4
BLOG: Draisaitl enjoying race with MacKinnon & others for NHL’s scoring title
PROJECTED LINEUP: Oilers vs. Avalanche
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RELEASE: Oilers to celebrate Black Excellence this Friday
GAME RECAP: Oilers 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
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GAME RECAP: Oilers 3, Blues 2 (OT)
RELEASE: Pets of Oil Country 50/50 underway
Flyers go off for 6 goals to beat McDavid, Oilers in first game out of the break
