Leo Carlsson had a hand in the biggest moments Saturday, and the Ducks used that to flip the game on Philadelphia.
Carlsson scored once and helped set up the eventual winner as Anaheim erased a two-goal deficit to beat the Flyers 5-4, ending Philadelphia’s winning streak in the process. The 2023 first-rounder came through against the same team that had tried to pry him away from the Ducks last summer, when the Flyers signed him to a five-year, $80 million offer sheet as a restricted free agent. Anaheim matched it and kept him in place.
Carlsson got Anaheim on the board at 8:38 of the second period, finishing a pass from Cutter Gauthier. Gauthier was once again at the center of the Philadelphia crowd’s anger, with fans directing loud chants at him after his forced exit from the organization three years ago.
Later in the third period, Carlsson helped swing the game for good on the power play. He sent the puck toward the net, Beckett Sennecke got a tip on it, and the shot beat Flyers goalie Joseph Woll for the Ducks’ go-ahead goal.
Carlsson now leads Anaheim with 13 points, coming from three goals and 10 assists.
Anaheim also got goals from A.J. Greer, Judd Caulfield and Tristan Luneau, while Lukas Dostal stopped 28 shots to help end the Ducks’ five-game skid.
Philadelphia looked in control early, jumping out to a two-goal lead with help from Matvei Michkov. He stretched his point streak to five games by scoring first on a power-play chance, wiring a wrister through Porter Martone’s screen during a 5-on-3 and picking up his seventh goal of the season. Martone followed 1:03 later to make it 2-0.
Tyson Foerster added another for the Flyers, and Michkov scored again in the third period, but the comeback never came together. Philadelphia still finished with four goals, yet the Ducks had enough firepower to turn it around and send the Flyers to a stop after three straight wins.
The Ducks open a three-game homestand Tuesday against Vancouver. The Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
In Other News...
Flyers Suddenly Have A Good Problem As Win Streak Faces Test
The Flyers head into Anaheim with a little momentum and, for once, a roster conversation that feels more encouraging than worrisome. After winning three straight, Philadelphia has gotten a lift from rookie Cole Knuble, who made a noticeable impact in the last game with two goals and has started to strengthen his case for a larger role as the lineup settles into a better rhythm.
Philadelphia may also have a veteran option back in the mix, with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen a possibility to return after missing time since the second game of the season. That kind of decision can be a good problem for a team that has been looking for stability, but it also puts the Flyers in a spot where recent performance may force some tough lineup choices before the streak gets its next test. [Read more 🡒]
Michkov Is Giving The Flyers Something They Have Been Missing
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The encouraging part for the Flyers is not just the production, but the way it has fit into the lineup with Noah Cates beside him. Michkov, Cates and goalie Joseph Woll all offered their thoughts after the game, underscoring how much attention this stretch of play is drawing as Philadelphia looks for more consistent offense from its best young creator. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Waste Another Michkov Night In Frustrating Rivalry Loss
Matvei Michkov gave the Flyers another night they should have been able to build on, scoring twice in a game that also featured Rasmus Ristolainen back in the lineup after missing nine games with an injury. Instead, Philadelphia let two leads slip away in a 5-4 loss to Anaheim, a result that snapped a three-game winning streak and left the building with the familiar feeling of a missed opportunity in a rivalry game.
For a team trying to stack positive results, the frustration was in how quickly control faded after the Flyers had taken command. The scoring touch was there, and Michkov again looked like a player capable of swinging the night, but Philadelphia could not protect its advantages long enough to turn his performance into two points. [Read more 🡒]