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Flyers-Penguins news: Matvei Michkov could be healthy scratch; series jumps to ESPN as Philly goes for gentleman's sweep

The Flyers would face the Carolina Hurricanes next if they defeat the Penguins in Game 5 Monday night.

Travis Konecny and the Flyers look to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins from the NHL playoffs in Game 5 Monday night.
Travis Konecny and the Flyers look to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins from the NHL playoffs in Game 5 Monday night. Read more
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
What you should know

  1. The Flyers could eliminate the Penguins from the playoffs with a win in Game 5 tonight in Pittsburgh. Here's how to watch and stream.

  2. Signs point to Matvei Michkov being scratched for Game 5, though coach Rick Toccett hasn't committed to any line changes.

  3. Despite Game 4's loss, fans aren't worried. Here are three reasons not to panic.

  4. Goalie Dan Vladař looks to bounce back after a rare shaky start Saturday.

Matvei Michkov might be benched tonight

Coach Rick Tocchet wouldn’t commit to any line changes for the Flyers’ Game 5 matchup Monday against the Penguins, but it sure looks like Matvei Michkov will be a scratch and Alex Bump will draw into the lineup for his first career playoff game.

“We just wanted to try some stuff out today; whether [Bump’s] in tomorrow, we’ll find out,” Tocchet said Sunday after practice. “He really looked good in practice today. His shot and energy, after last game I think we really need some energy.”

Michkov took line rushes in practice with Garrett Wilson and Carl Grundstrom, who have been scratched for every game of the series. Michkov has yet to record a point in four games and is averaging just 10 minutes, 6 seconds of ice time, second-lowest among forwards ahead of only Denver Barkey.

The Flyers aren’t panicking after Game 4's loss. Here's why

Goalie Dan Vladař probably summed it up the best after the Flyers lost for the first time in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins:

“We are good,” he said several times. “We’re good.”

That’s an accurate statement. Although they couldn’t close it out Saturday at home in front of the faithful, the loss doesn’t put the Flyers on the brink of elimination. That pressure still belongs to the Penguins, who trail three to one in the best-of-seven series despite a 4-2 victory in Game 4.

Where the Eastern Conference playoffs stand

If the Flyers win Game 5 tonight, Philly will move on to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the NHL playoffs.

The Eastern Conference’s top seed swept the Ottawa Senators in their first-round playoff series, and are looking to advance to their third Eastern final in four years.

Here's where the Eastern Conference playoffs stand heading into Monday night:

Emil Andrae could return to the lineup

Emil Andrae took line rushes with Nick Seeler, a sign that he could be ready to return to the lineup after missing Games 2, 3, and 4 with an upper-body injury.

Noah Juulsen would come out of the lineup in his place.

— Gabriela Carroll

Flyers-Penguins Game 5: How to watch and stream

Brian Boucher will be back on NBC Sports Philadelphia tonight as the Flyers-Penguins series shifts to Pittsburgh... and ESPN.

Broucher, the former Flyers goaltender turned broadcaster, will call all the action alongside Jim Jackson, the team's longtime TV voice. Scott Hartnell, who replaced Broucher for Games 3 and 4, will return to the studio for pre- and postgame coverage alongside Ashlyn Sullivan and former 94.1 WIP host Al Morganti. 

Over on ESPN, Sean McDonough will call the game alongside Ray Ferraro. Emily Kaplan will report from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.