OTTAWA, Ontario ― Consistency. It may be an 11-letter word, but for the Flyers this season it feels like a four-letter word. Looking at their win-loss record, it’s two wins here and one loss there. The Flyers have not found stability — unless you want to count the six-game losing streak.

John Tortorella was happy with Matvei Michkov's effort in his return to the lineup for the Flyers against the Sharks.

To be clear, from Day 1 of training camp Tortorella has left little doubt he thinks the world of Michkov. The winger’s work ethic, competitiveness and internal fire have endeared him to the Flyers’ often tough-to-please coach. Yes, there’s a nearly half-century age gap between the two, but there seems to be a real affection there.