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 Watch PHLY Flyers Postgame 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.