Exactly one year after suffering a painful defeat which ended all hopes of reaching the playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers return to the Bell Centre with a new intention. No more aspirations for postseason berths, now the Flyers want to destroy those hopes along with the Montreal Canadiens. Under the reign of interim coach Brad Shaw, and with young stars taking the baton, Philadelphia heads into Saturday night’s clash steeled to unwrite last season's bitter memory.
Matvei Michkov’s emergence and Karsen Dorwart’s debut highlight Flyers’ reboot
Last April, after a thumping 9-3 drubbing on the road, the Flyers basically sat with their mouths shut in the Montreal visitor's locker room, a game that many had called one of the lowest points of their season. Fast forward nearly a complete year later, and suddenly, all of that energy around this team has shifted. Brad Shaw is steering a squad that has cut loose from playoff pressure but not from its potential to spoil someone else's party.
The Canadiens, in fact, hold on to the last wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. Pressure is mounting, and Saturday's game will mean anything serious to the Canadiens. Of course, it's going to be free-hand play for Shaw's Flyers; it's all about developing confidence while disrupting their opponents' rhythm. "It’s fun to go in and be the spoiler. It’s fun to go in and take the life out of the building.” Shaw said, outlining the mindset for the game.
This is the challenge that this young set of players has tackled. Mattei Michkov is back in the Calder Trophy discussion, collecting seven points in his last three games, along with Travis Konecy and Sean Couturier building a high-impact line. Depth scoring has also been reliable, with the line of Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink continuing to produce. Owen Tippett looks rejuvenated, and goaltenders are coming into better rhythm late in the season.
The night carries personal significance as well. Karsen Dorwart, an undrafted forward out of Michigan State, is expected to compete in his first professional action in the NHL. Skating between Garnet Hathaway and Nick Deslauriers, the 21-year-old enters the league in one of its most electric atmospheres — a Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
Also Read: “Most misunderstood”: Brad Shaw defends former Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella following his firing
They aren't going to check out, either the postseason or sheeted out, but those players such as Michkov, Dorwart, and the rest of the developing squad will have a benefit on those games. Next season should be an important factor in informing the tone for Shaw. And for a team once left broken on Montreal ice, Saturday is about more than a win- it's about redemption.
Matvei Michkov’s emergence and Karsen Dorwart’s debut highlight Flyers’ reboot
Last April, after a thumping 9-3 drubbing on the road, the Flyers basically sat with their mouths shut in the Montreal visitor's locker room, a game that many had called one of the lowest points of their season. Fast forward nearly a complete year later, and suddenly, all of that energy around this team has shifted. Brad Shaw is steering a squad that has cut loose from playoff pressure but not from its potential to spoil someone else's party.
Brad Shaw’s full quote on the #LetsGoFlyers embracing a “spoiler” role as they head into their final stretch of game this season. Said that being able “to take the life out of a building” is a fun thing to do in hockey, and fully believes his team can get those kinds of results. pic.twitter.com/q2G6EuyIsc
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) April 4, 2025
The Canadiens, in fact, hold on to the last wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. Pressure is mounting, and Saturday's game will mean anything serious to the Canadiens. Of course, it's going to be free-hand play for Shaw's Flyers; it's all about developing confidence while disrupting their opponents' rhythm. "It’s fun to go in and be the spoiler. It’s fun to go in and take the life out of the building.” Shaw said, outlining the mindset for the game.
This is the challenge that this young set of players has tackled. Mattei Michkov is back in the Calder Trophy discussion, collecting seven points in his last three games, along with Travis Konecy and Sean Couturier building a high-impact line. Depth scoring has also been reliable, with the line of Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster, and Bobby Brink continuing to produce. Owen Tippett looks rejuvenated, and goaltenders are coming into better rhythm late in the season.
Brad Shaw and Jakob Pelletier’s reaction to Michkov missing the hat trick 😂😩
— Nasty Knuckles (@NastyKnuckles) March 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/OdsEzFgA7X
The night carries personal significance as well. Karsen Dorwart, an undrafted forward out of Michigan State, is expected to compete in his first professional action in the NHL. Skating between Garnet Hathaway and Nick Deslauriers, the 21-year-old enters the league in one of its most electric atmospheres — a Saturday night at the Bell Centre.
Also Read: “Most misunderstood”: Brad Shaw defends former Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella following his firing
They aren't going to check out, either the postseason or sheeted out, but those players such as Michkov, Dorwart, and the rest of the developing squad will have a benefit on those games. Next season should be an important factor in informing the tone for Shaw. And for a team once left broken on Montreal ice, Saturday is about more than a win- it's about redemption.
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