97.5 The Fanatic Flyers Roundup: Thanksgiving Playoff Predictor, NHL Black Friday Matinee
A Thanksgiving Eve road game looked dire until the final seconds. Stunning goals from Morgan Frost and Sean Couturier will help the Philadelphia Flyers rest a little easier on the holiday before picking it back up for their annual NHL Black Friday matinee.
- Saturday 11/23 (Wells Fargo Center): Flyers 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
- Monday 11/25 (Wells Fargo Center): Vegas Golden Knights 5, Flyers 4 (SO)
- Wednesday 11/27 (Bridgestone Arena): Flyers 3, Nashville predators 2 (OT)
97.5 The Fanatic Matvei Michkov Roundup
Don’t miss a seemingly inevitable Matvei Michkov check-in each week. Philadelphia’s rookie phenom proved his flare for the dramatic against the Blackhawks with his second career overtime winner.
The Flyers entered the third period of the Saturday afternoon tilt trailing 2-0. Goals from Couturier and Noah Cates forced overtime, where the Flyers benefitted from an uncommon 4-on-3 power play.
Travis Konecny sent a perfect pass to let his rookie teammate slam home his seventh goal of the season.
Michkov met Connor Bedard in the hallways after the game. Arguably the two most talented players in the 2023 NHL Draft class enjoyed a head-to-head clash that could become a long-term NHL storyline.
The Mad Russian lit the lamp again against Vegas and rung what would’ve been an overtime goal right off the post behind Juuse Saros in Nashville.
Flyers fans also get to know more about Michkov with the added involvement of Russian translator Slava Kuznetsov. His line about a “cold-blooded” approach to clutch situations shows the type of fire that helps fans believe in the rebuild’s long-term Stanley Cup chances.
Thanksgiving Playoff Stats/NHL Black Friday Matinee
Teams in Stanley Cup Playoff position at American Thanksgiving usually clinch playoff positions. How often does it happen? That all depends on the time span you count, whether you judge by points or point percentage, and how careful the person counting is willing to be.
Last Thanksgiving, 97.5 The Fanatic estimated that seven of eight playoff teams from each conference usually clinch a berth. The Flyers sat tied for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference at the time, but they missed a playoff berth in the 82nd and final regular-season game.
Related Content: Flyers Can Take Closer Look At NHL Thanksgiving Stats
While the Flyers have jumped to 10th in the East, fans might serve themselves better on a holiday weekend by appreciating the NHL tradition of the Black Friday matinee.
The Orange and Black aren’t likely to reach the postseason in a rebuilding season, but it doesn’t ruin the excitement of Matvei Michkov, the development of other players on the roster, and a rival opponent.
The New York Rangers enter the annual contest during a tough stretch amidst Jacob Trouba trade rumors and turmoil despite sole possession of a wild card spot. They’ll still bring a Stanley Cup- caliber roster with stars like Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox south to the Wells Fargo Center. Expect plenty of Rangers jerseys in the seats too.
While most Flyers fans still consider the Pittsburgh Penguins the arch-rival, the rebuild will focus more on overtaking an Original Six franchise and perennial division contender in a geographic rival market. Flyers-Rangers could gain the juice it’s been missing for decades if the Flyers can climb their way into contention in the coming seasons.
Tune into Tim Saunders and Todd Fedoruk on the call with pregame coverage beginning at 12:30pm.
Crowded Flyers Blue Line
Cam York has returned to the lineup after a month-long absence, and Jamie Drysdale is close behind him. The pair of former first-round picks rejoin a suddenly crowded group of defensemen.
Emil Andrae has exceeded expectations in 13 NHL games this season. He’s even stolen some of Drysdale’s ice time, especially on the power play. The Flyers will almost certainly keep him on the NHL roster after the impressive stretch, but he interjected after the Vegas loss when a reporter suggested the 22-year-old Swede is locked into the lineup.
“I don’t think I’m locked in. I’m just trying to play as good as I can every game. I’m just trying to contribute to the team. I know there’s a lot of D on the roster that battles for a spot right now, but I think that helps the team too. I think that motivates a lot of the guys and a lot of the D that they have to be at their best to get in the lineup.” -Emil Andrae
When York returned against the Blackhawks, John Tortorella surprisingly kept Helge Grans in the lineup while Egor Zamula and Erik Johnson sat as healthy scratches despite seemingly more secure roster status than Grans entering the season.
Grans will likely rejoin the Lehigh Valley Phantoms once Drysdale returns. However, his strong showing and short-term reward from the coaching staff reaffirms the internal competition that drives players to compete for their future at the NHL level.
Rasmus Ristolainen has also followed his teammate Travis Sanheim’s lead with an aggressive offensive game that’s caught his head coach’s eye. Gritty veteran Nick Seeler also commands ice time.
Who moves to the press box with nine candidates competing for six spots?
Tortorella and associate coach Brad Shaw will continue their evaluation of a group of defensemen with pressure to succeed to keep their lineup spots.
Upcoming Flyers Schedule
- Friday 11/29 vs. New York Rangers, 1pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
- Saturday 11/30 @ St. Louis Blues, 7pm on 93.3 WMMR
- Thursday 12/5 vs. Florida Panthers, 7pm on 97.5 The Fanatic
