Flyers Go 3-1 on the Road: Vladar Steady, Michkov Shines, and Konecny Finds His Groove
The Philadelphia Flyers didn’t get the comfort of home cooking over Thanksgiving, but they certainly brought their own ingredients for a successful road trip. Four games, four different cities-Florida (twice), Long Island, and New Jersey-and they came out of the gauntlet with a 3-1-0 record. That’s a strong showing against a mix of Cup contenders and a scrappy rebuild, and it’s the kind of stretch that tells you a lot about where this team is headed.
Sure, the trip started with a tough shutout loss to the Lightning, but the response from there was impressive. The Flyers outlasted the defending champion Panthers in a grind-it-out third period, survived a rollercoaster against the Islanders where they blew a three-goal lead but still pulled out the shootout win, and then marched into Newark to hand the Devils their first regulation home loss of the season. That’s not just winning-it’s finding different ways to win, and that’s a sign of a team starting to believe in itself.
Even more encouraging? The guys at the top of the lineup are finally starting to look like themselves.
The depth has been there all year, but this past week, the stars came to play. Let’s break down the top three performers from the trip:
⭐ Third Star: Travis Konecny
0 G, 2 A, 2 PTS | 4 GP | 18:22 ATOI
Konecny’s stat line from the week won’t jump off the page, but don’t let that fool you-this was his most complete stretch of hockey in a while. He was originally credited with a goal against New Jersey before it was changed to Matvei Michkov, and he also buried the shootout winner against the Islanders. But more importantly, he just looked right again.
For much of the season, Konecny’s production has been there, but the eye test hasn’t always matched. He’s looked a step off, a little out of sync.
That wasn’t the case in the Devils game. He was everywhere-buzzing on the forecheck, making plays in transition, and setting the tone with his energy.
It was vintage Konecny, the kind of performance that’s been missing for stretches this year.
Could you make a case for someone else in this spot? Absolutely.
Owen Tippett hit the 100-goal mark and Trevor Zegras had some moments too. But Konecny finding his form again is a big deal for this team.
That earns him the nod.
⭐⭐ Second Star: Matvei Michkov
3 G, 1 A, 4 PTS | 4 GP | 14:59 ATOI
This was the Michkov we saw flashes of last season-creative, opportunistic, and just plain dangerous. He scored in three of the four games, including a gritty goal coming straight out of the penalty box against the Devils and a slick deflection earlier in the week.
These weren’t highlight-reel snipes from the perimeter; they were hard-earned, net-front goals. And that’s exactly what the Flyers have needed more of.
Michkov also made his presence felt defensively, with a key stick lift and takeaway late in the Devils game that helped seal the deal. He’s not just scoring-he’s rounding out his game, and that’s a huge development for a player with his ceiling.
Now, he did take a questionable penalty late in the Islanders game that could’ve cost the Flyers, but they killed it off and got the win anyway. And when you’re putting the puck in the net like Michkov is, you can live with a little edge. This was a complete week for the young forward, and it’s exactly the kind of step forward the Flyers were hoping to see.
⭐⭐⭐ First Star: Dan Vladar
2 GP | 2 WINS | .915 SV% | 5 GA
At this point, Flyers fans might be getting used to seeing Dan Vladar’s name at the top of these lists-but don’t take it for granted. Vladar was rock-solid in both of his starts this week, extending his personal win streak to four games and continuing to stabilize a position that’s been anything but stable in recent seasons.
Against the Devils, he was dialed in. One sequence late in the first period stood out-he made a sprawling cross-crease save that didn’t even count (the shot came just after the buzzer), but it showed just how locked in he was.
That kind of effort sets a tone. And it mattered-because if Nico Hischier scores there, Michkov’s not in the box to start the second period, and that greasy goal never happens.
Small moments, big impact.
Earlier in the week, Vladar held strong against a loaded Panthers roster, finishing with a .926 save percentage. He kept the Flyers in it until the offense found a crack, and that’s been the story of his season so far: steady, confident, and timely.
A quarter of the way through the season, it’s hard to imagine this team without him. Credit to the front office for bringing him in, and to goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh for getting the most out of him. Until further notice, Vladar’s the backbone of this team-and he’s earned every bit of this week’s first star.
Final Word
This was a statement week for the Flyers. Not just because they beat good teams on the road, but because they did it with contributions from the players they need the most.
Konecny looked like himself again. Michkov played like a future star.
And Vladar? He just kept doing what he’s been doing-giving them a chance to win every night.
If this is the version of the Flyers we’re going to see more often, then the rest of the league better start paying attention.