Instant reactions: Captain Couturier, Porter Martone team up for HUGE Flyers victory in Winnipeg

Oct 26, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier (14) celebrates with right wing Matvei Michkov (39) after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild in the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

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The Eastern Conference Wild Card route was officially closed, with the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators each clinching spots in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, meaning the only way for the Philadelphia Flyers to end their five year postseason drought is to hold onto the third seed in the Metropolitan Division.

Philly started fast, opening up a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes, and building on it in the second with a pair of goals.

Dan Vladar gave up a rough one in the first but was solid the rest of the way, while Porter Martone, Matvei Michkov, Sean Couturier, Travis Sanheim and a slew of skaters in Orange & Black ensured that Philadelphia would hold control of its own destiny heading into the final games of the season, Monday hosting the Carolina Hurricanes, and home again on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens.

First period

Highlight: A 3-1 lead after the first period? OK! The Denver Barkey starting the play to set up Matvei Michkov’s 2-1 goal, and Michkov’s shot, were highlight-worthy. As was Sean Couturier’s individual effort on the 3-1 goal, using his good stick and positioning to create a turnover and a scoring chance for himself. But… PORTER MARTONE! The Flyers’ 19-year-old phenom the scoring started with a great defensive play before finishing on a sick feed from Travis Konecny to put the Orange & Black up 1-0 just 1:17 into the first.

What I want to see next period: Three goals in the first is great, and I thought in the first few minutes the defense was tight, but as the period went on, the defense was a little leaky. I don’t want to get into a back-and-forth on the road with a two goal lead. Don’t let up the offensive pressure, but pick your spots, don’t force anything into the middle, and cover for any risks- get back to the point if a d-man pinches, don’t get caught watching one side and leave the back-door empty.

Second period

Highlight: The Jets were buzzing around the midpoint of the second period, until the Coots line re-entered! With Garnet Hathaway back in the lineup, the duo of Glendening and Couturier was once again looking strong and after a goal in the first, Coots helped create a second goal with good work possessing the puck down low, eventually working it up to the point for Travis Sanheim to blast it through traffic to extend the lead to 4-1.

Nick Seeler took a late tripping penalty after Barkey held the puck in traffic a little too long rather than cycle back down low to Michkov, leading to a turnover and a reaching penalty against Seeler as the Jets broke in. But NOAH CATES SCORED SHORTHANDED TO MAKE IT 5-1!

What I want to see next period: This was definitely a much less frenetic period, and the Flyers were able to open up a 5-1 lead despite a big disparity in terms of possession and shots on goal. The 10-7 shot differential didn’t fully tell the story. Fortunately, Dan Vladar shook off his rough start, dropping an easy rebound which allowed Haydn Fleury to jam home Winnipeg’s first goal, making a number of big stops since giving one up that he’d definitely want back seven minutes into the first. More Vladar solid play, and a little bit more play in the offensive zone would be a great way to end this game in regulation. And stay out of the freakin’ box!

Third period

Highlight: CAPTAIN COUTURIER! 6-1 Good guys! Should I publish this early? Could I possibly jinx us with a 6-1 lead and 12 minutes to go? I’m gonna do it, we’re down to 10 minutes left. I’m confident.

Final note: GET FLYERED UP!

Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame