For Nikita Grebenkin from Philadelphia, the current season in the NHL is not going well: modest playing time, long periods without points, and far from his first roles in the team. But the match with Vancouver was the very moment when all this suddenly faded into the background. A goal, an assist, a team victory and personal recognition – perhaps the 22-year-old Russian’s brightest night in the league so far.

Important goal and assist after a solo pass

The Flyers opened the scoring in the match precisely in the episode with Grebenkin’s participation. In the 34th minute, with zero on the scoreboard, Nikita dragged the puck along the left side, passed it back to the second pace, and then competently skated to the nickel. A long throw from defender Emil Andre – and Grebenkin’s stick was at the right point. For Nikita, this is the second goal of the season and in the NHL regular championships as a whole. Not a masterpiece, but an absolutely deserved goal, a reward for movement, reading the game and choosing the right position.

Nikita Grebenkin / Photo: © Mitchell Leff / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

The second productive episode turned out to be much more effective. In the 46th minute, with the score 1:0, Grebenkin made a solo pass down the right side, beat his opponent, drove behind the goal and fired a thin pass between the skates of the defender to the nickel. Karl Grundström converted the chance on the second attempt – 2:0.

This episode became a clear answer to everyone who was accustomed to seeing Nikita as an exceptionally energetic forward. It had everything: speed, technique, composure and a non-standard solution.

Minimum time – maximum benefit

It’s ironic that Grebenkin’s best NHL game came in the game in which he played the least amount of time of any Flyers player – 12 minutes, 16 seconds. At the same time, the utility indicator is “+2”, one implemented throw out of two, a block, a power move and only one loss.

Overall for the season, the Russian now has six (2+4) points in 24 matches, average playing time is 10:29, utility value is -2. The main thing is that he broke a streak of six games without scoring, which is especially important in such a role and with such time on the ice.

Nikita finished the match with Vancouver not only with “1+1”, but also with personal awards. He was named the first star of the meeting, and was also one of the three game-day stars in the NHL, finishing third. He was accompanied by Tampa defender Darren Reddish (“1+2” in the match against St. Louis) and Mason Marchment from Columbus, who scored a double in the game against Los Angeles.

Nikita Grebenkin / Photo: © Mitchell Leff / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Philadelphia’s victory with a score of 5:2 is, of course, a team success. Grundström, Dvorak, Tippett scored, and Matvey Michkov put the finishing touches on the game by sending the puck into the empty net. But it was Grebenkin who became the player who set the tone for the match.

This is not yet a breakthrough or a change of status, but an important signal: even with limited trust from the coaches, Nikita is able to solve episodes and make a difference. And for a hockey player spending his first full season in the NHL, such evenings are the best help for future success.