Nikita Grebenkin has taken control of the Flyers’ roster battle during the team’s 4-3 loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
Here is how the game played out.
Travis Sanheim started the scoring for the game with a power-play goal from right in front of the net, just less than nine minutes into the game. Christian Dvorak picked up the primary assist on the play.
As time was running out in the first period, Alex Bump got careless with the puck behind his own net. He lost the puck, which was scooped up by Johnny Beecher, who put Boston on the board with just one second left in the first period.
Dalton Bancroft scored a power-play goal for the Bruins, cashing in not even a minute after a Travis Konecny tripping penalty. Konecny was called for the penalty just five seconds after getting out of the box for slashing.
The Bruins had the lead for a little more than three minutes before Nikita Grebenkin potted the tying tally for Philly. Grebenkin’s goal was assisted by Trevor Zegras and Matvei Michkov. Just under six minutes later, Zegras nets his unofficial first goal as a Flyer, a power-play goal, to give the Flyers the 3-2 lead. Michkov picked up his second primary assist of the game on the Zegras goal.
The Flyers looked really good, with their NHL players looking strong, but the Zegras’ goal would be the last of the fun for the Flyers. Their 3-2 lead would not last three minutes before Bancroft scored his second of the period, tying the game at three for the Bruins.
With 6:15 to play in the game, Jeffery Viel would pot the game winner for Boston, leading to the final score of 4-3.
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Grebenkin Pulls Ahead in Roster Battle
Saturday’s game, in my mind, as well as the mind of many, was the Nikita Grebenkin pullaway game.
The Flyers’ roster battle has been anything but exciting. Instead of having young players battling for one or two spots, putting on a show, it has really just been “who is showing the most”.
Until Saturday, nobody in the roster battle had done anything to set themselves apart other than Rodrigo Abols. Grebenkin has joined that list. It was an impressive showing on Saturday from the young prospect. Obviously, scoring a goal is huge. However, it was more than just that for Grebenkin.
Grebenkin was really strong on the puck whenever he had possession. He was skating hard and moving the puck well. He clearly has found some sort of chemistry with Michkov, along with Zegras. Grebenkin also found himself getting promoted mid-game, moving up the line chart. He started the game on the third line with Jett Luchanko and Owen Tippett.
The separation Grebenkin created had just as much to do with how well he played, along with how relatively unnoticeable Luchanko and Bump have been. Bump had the brutal mistake early, but did not do much in a positive light to stand out.
Luchanko made no major mistakes. He did not stand out in a bad way. Saturday was yet another example of Luchanko just blending in. When you’re fighting for a roster spot, you cannot blend in.
Other Takeaways from Saturday
The Flyers’ power play, for the first time in a while, looks good. I won’t go so far as to say they’ll be a top 10 team on the man-advantage. However, after the Rocky Thompson experience, being in the middle of the pack would be refreshing. Yogi Svejkovsky and Jay Varady are sharing power play duties, and the unit already looks better. There is puck movement, strategy, and it seems as if Cam York and Jamie Drysdale are going to get their chance to QB.
It also looks like the Flyers have a dangerous offensive duo on their hands. Matvei Michkov and Trevor Zegras should not be separated. There appears to be genuine chemistry between the two. Both are highly skilled, high-IQ hockey players who will undoubtedly benefit from playing together. Saturday night was another prime example of what they can do together. They looked great.
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