The Philadelphia Flyers lost 4-3 in overtime to the Boston Bruins in a hard-fought match that featured flashes of brilliance from the Flyers, moments of frustration with the refereeing and a strong performance from rookie goaltender Aleksei Kolosov.

Despite the result, the Flyers can take some lessons from the game as they continue to prove that they belong in conversations among contending teams.

Matvei Michkov continues to shine

Matvei Michkov delivered his first NHL multi-goal game in style, scoring twice in the first period to give the Flyers an early lead. He scored his first goal with a beautiful single shot that showcased his talent for finding open spaces and capitalizing with precision. The second time was a well-timed tip that was perfectly placed in the bottom right corner by Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman.

With these two goals, Michkov not only cemented his reputation as a generational talent, but also demonstrated his ability to come forward in big games. Against a perennial powerhouse like Boston, Michkov’s composure and offensive instincts stood out. At just 19 years old, he is already becoming one of the Flyers’ most consistent and engaging players, and his chemistry with teammates like Owen Tippett and Morgan Frost continues to develop.

Michkov’s performance isn’t just a bright spot for the Flyers’ future – it’s a testament to the impact he’s currently having. Michkov currently leads all NHL rookies with 23 points, leaving little room for argument against him as the smartest rookie in the league.

A great team effort marred by officiating

The Flyers played a strong game, matching Boston step for step and responding to every bit of physicality the Bruins tried to take them out of the game. Cam York’s second-period goal, a beautifully executed wrist shot from the point, highlighted the team’s offensive depth and ability to generate scoring opportunities from all areas of the ice.

However, the game was not without controversy. Questionable referee decisions affected what was actually a clean and competitive competition. Several missed calls against the Bruins, combined with some harsh penalties against the Flyers, shifted the momentum in Boston’s favor. The disparity in decisions allowed the Bruins to fight their way back into the game, score the equalizer late and ultimately secure the win in overtime.

Head coach John Tortorella was frustrated with the referees throughout the game and made it clear after the final whistle how unhappy he was by telling the media at the start of his post-game press conference: “I teach my team not to jump. Maybe. “I should start teaching them, the way this (game) went, the way it’s going, maybe I should teach them how to dive.”

Another promising performance for Kolosov

In just his sixth NHL start, Aleksei Kolosov once again delivered an impressive performance, particularly when faced with high-risk chances. Kolosov made 27 saves, some of which were highlight stops, including a near-split to stop a shot that highlighted his athleticism.

Kolosov’s ability to maintain composure under pressure was particularly important in a game where the Bruins were relentless in the final minutes of regulation and overtime. His positioning and quick reflexes gave the Flyers a chance to win, even as the Bruins increased their attacking pressure.

Even though Kolosov ultimately conceded the game-winning goal in overtime, his overall performance continues to be a strong argument for his future as a mainstay for the Flyers. The battle for the goalkeeping hierarchy – especially with the impending return of Sam Ersson – becomes even more exciting with every outstanding performance from Kolosov.

The Flyers return home on Dec. 8 to face the Utah Hockey Club for the first time at 7:30 p.m.

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