Three Takeaways From Flyers 5-4 Loss vs. Kings

The Philadelphia Flyers left Crypto.com Arena empty-handed on Tuesday night, falling 5-4 to the Los Angeles Kings in a hard-fought battle.

It was a game defined by flashes of brilliance on offense, particularly from Joel Farabee and rookie sensation Matvei Michkov, but also by defensive lapses and a struggle to maintain control in critical moments.

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Finding The Groove

If there’s one silver lining for the Flyers after this loss, it’s the continued emergence of Joel Farabee and Matvei Michkov as consistent offensive contributors.

Farabee scored for the second straight game, showing relentlessness in front of the goal and making the most of his opportunities. His goal against the Kings was a product of smart positioning and quick execution, qualities that have become hallmarks of his game this season. For a Flyers team that has often struggled with consistency in the scoring department, Farabee’s recent uptick in production is a welcome sight.

Meanwhile, Matvei Michkov delivered one of his most impactful performances in recent weeks, breaking out of a scoring slump with a goal and an assist. Michkov’s goal showcased his trademark hockey IQ and precision, as he capitalized on a defensive miscue by the Kings to beat goaltender Pheonix Copley with a pinpoint shot. Later, his assist demonstrated his playmaking ability, threading a perfect pass to set up a crucial Flyers tally.

With his two-point night (of which Scott Laughton had one as well), Michkov not only reasserted himself as the NHL’s leading rookie scorer but also reminded everyone why he’s considered a cornerstone of the Flyers’ future. At just 20 years old, Michkov’s ability to step up in big moments is promising, even as he continues to navigate the ups and downs of his first NHL season.

Defensive and Zone Exits Prove Costly

Despite the strong offensive performances, the Flyers’ struggles in their own zone ultimately cost them the game. The Kings turned up the pressure in the third period, and the Flyers found themselves hemmed in, unable to break out cleanly or regain control of the pace.

This inability to execute smooth zone exits created opportunities for the Kings, who thrive on capitalizing in transition and exploiting defensive breakdowns. The Kings’ fourth and fifth goals were direct results of prolonged shifts in the Flyers’ end, where poor puck management and positioning allowed Los Angeles to dictate play.

It’s a recurring issue for the Flyers this season, particularly against teams like the Kings that boast a strong forecheck and an ability to force turnovers. While players like Cam York and Travis Sanheim have shown flashes of stability on the back end, the defensive corps as a whole has struggled with cohesion and consistency.

Reevaluating the Goaltending Situation

Aleksei Kolosov got the start in net against the Kings, and while the loss obviously can't be entirely attributed to him, his performance raised questions about the Flyers’ current goaltending approach.

Kolosov allowed five goals on 20 shots, with some of those goals stemming from defensive breakdowns in front of him. However, there were moments where Kolosov seemed to struggle with tracking the puck and managing the speed of the game, a sign of his ongoing adjustment to the NHL level.

Kolosov’s inexperience is understandable—he’s still learning the ropes in a league that demands perfection from goaltenders. But with the Flyers now alternating starts between Kolosov and Sam Ersson, there’s a case to be made for revisiting the status of Ivan Fedotov.

Reintegrating Fedotov into the rotation could ease the burden on Kolosov and Ersson, who have been feeling the effects of not only slashed practice time, but the grueling schedule as a whole, especially when it was never initially in the Flyers' plans to carry three goalies. As it stands, splitting starts between Ersson and Kolosov hasn’t yielded the desired results, and the lack of clarity in the crease risks undermining the team’s overall performance.

The Flyers will have a day off before traveling to San Jose to face off against the Sharks for their last game of 2024, taking place on New Year's Eve.

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