Matvei Michkov is a healthy scratch for Flyers in Game 5 vs. Penguins
Michkov, who doesn't have a point in the series, was eerily quiet in the first four games of the series.
Matvei Michkov will be a scratch for the Flyers in Game 5.
After skating with the extras during Sunday’s practice, Michkov did not participate in warmups on Monday ahead of Game 5, confirming that he is not expected to play.
Alex Bump will play in Michkov’s place, playing left wing with center Noah Cates and right wing Tyson Foerster. Bump last played in the final game of the regular season against Montreal on April 16, scoring a goal. The rookie tallied five goals and nine points in 17 NHL games this season. Game 5 will be his first career NHL playoff game.
» READ MORE: Signs point to Flyers’ Matvei Michkov being scratched for Game 5 against Penguins
“His shot and energy, after last game I think we really need some energy,” coach Rick Tocchet said Sunday of Bump.
Michkov, who finished with 20 goals and 51 points in 81 games this season, racked up the most points (22) of any Flyer after the Olympic break in the team’s improbable run to the playoffs, but so far has struggled to carry over that same level of effectiveness in the playoffs. In four games, the seventh overall pick in 2023 did not record a point and played the second-fewest minutes of any Flyers forward. Only Denver Barkey has averaged fewer minutes, but he has three points including a goal in four games.
“He’s part of the young group,” Tocchet said of Michkov on Sunday. “[Barkey] went through it a little bit, Bump a little bit — you hit, not the wall, but kind of plateaued.
“There’s a lot of pace in the playoffs, and you’re looking for that to start us off from the young guys. Not just to pick on them, but I’m just saying. I think it’s OK to evaluate them every once in a while, give them a rest, whether it’s Matvei, whether it’s Bumper, I think that’s the way to develop your players.”
