Flyers Postgame Report: Flyers Snap Losing Streak in Shaw’s Debut, Beat Canadiens

After announcing the dismissal of John Tortorella on Thursday morning, you could sense the relief from the team from the drop of the puck. So much so that their rookie sensation showed he was on his game on his first shift.

Matvei Michkov scored the opening goal of a 6-4 win for the Flyers over the Montreal Canadiens, snapping a six-game losing streak in Brad Shaw‘s debut as interim head coach.

The Flyers wasted no time getting on the board. Just 1:55 into the game, Michkov scored his 21st goal of the season to make it 1-0.

The Canadiens tied the game at 7:55. Alex Newhook scored off the rush for his 14th goal of the season to make it a 1-1 game.

At 10:13, the Flyers took the lead again as Nick Deslauriers found a loose puck and scored his first goal of the season. Just 62 seconds later, Michkov picked up another point as his shot was deflected by Sean Couturier for his 13th goal of the season to make it 3-1.

Through 20 minutes, shots were 11-10 Flyers.

The Canadiens out-shot the Flyers, 8-5, in the second period, but both goalies held the opposition off the scoresheet. Through two periods, shots were 18-16 Montreal.

The Canadiens cut the lead to one at 2:15 as Cole Caufield banked in a shot for his 34th goal of the season to make it 3-2.

The Flyers got the two-goal lead back at 10:09. Tyson Foerster picked up a rebound to score his 17th of the season. Montreal challenged for goalie interference, but the call on the ice stood.

That put the Flyers on the power play, and after a missed opportunity shorthanded for Montreal, the Flyers went the other way and Couturier scored his second of the game to make it 5-2 at 11:43. It was the Flyers first power-play goal in March.

Montreal answered quickly at 13:34 to make it a 5-3 game as Christian Dvorak scored his 10th of the season off the feed from Josh Anderson. Just 18 seconds later, Michkov scored his second goal of the game on a two-on-one to make it 6-3.

WIth the goalie pulled, Montreal cut the lead to two again with 3:13 to play. Patrik Laine put home a rebound for his 18th goal of the season to make it 6-4.

Sam Ersson made 27 saves on 30 shots in the win. Jakub Dobes made 24 saves on 30 shots in the loss.

Couturier and Michkov each had two goals and an assist for three points. Lane Hutson had two assists for Montreal.

Cam York did not play despite dressing for the game. York only played 3:50 in Tuesday’s game, sitting out the final 9:23 of the first period and the final two periods.

The Flyers are back on the ice on Saturday afternoon to host the Buffalo Sabres at 1 p.m.