A notable storyline has emerged this evening as the Philadelphia Flyers have scratched Matvei Michkov in Game 5 against the Penguins, noted by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Alex Bump will take his place, jumping in on the third line.
The news confirms yesterday’s suspicions that the polarizing young star would sit. In last Saturday’s loss, where the Flyers failed to complete the sweep, only Luke Glendening and Garnet Hathaway played less than Michkov’s 11:18 among forwards, the pair of veterans being pure fourth line role players.
In his place comes Bump, aged 22. Often such lineup decisions have playoff grit in mind, but the 6’0″ winger has scoring touch in his own right, burying five goals and adding four helpers across 17 games in his first NHL action this year. It’ll be the first taste of playoff hockey for the fifth round pick (2022), and he’ll be eager to hold down his seat at the table.
Obviously, immediate questions are raised on the 21-year-old Michkov’s future in Philadelphia, still signed for another season at $950k before restricted free agent status in 2027. Despite a disappointing season, he still skated in 81 games, making it only more glaring for his absence now. In that time, the Russian posted 51 points, a drop from his rookie campaign’s 63. His ice time was also cut down nearly two minutes, 14:50 under head coach Rick Tocchet.
Hardly focused on any trade talk just yet however, tonight presents a historic opportunity for the Flyers. They have the chance to complete a resounding defeat of their in-state rivals, with an uncertain future regarding their legendary trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Depending on how things go, Michkov could continue to find himself the odd man out.
Elsewhere across the league:
- Also in Philadelphia, although a bit less eyebrow-raising, defenseman Noah Juulsen will join Michkov as a healthy scratch, replaced by Emil Andrae, reported by Charlie O’Connor of PHLY Sports. The 29-year-old played in each of the Flyers’ last three games, making an impact with two assists in Game 3, but he played just 8:55 last Saturday, fewest of any skater on the team by a clear margin. The rotation between both defenders is hardly new this year, as they’ve posted similar stats, the differentiator being that they’re opposite handed. The right-handed Juulsen has a 45.6% corsi for at five-on-five this year, starting nearly 58% of his shifts on the attack, by far a career high. It’s much the same for Andrae, who could again have a shorter leash in such a consequential game.
- Golden Knights forward William Karlsson practiced today, observed by SinBin.vegas, donning a red no-contact jersey. The center hasn’t played since November as a result of a lower-body injury, and it is thought that his Golden Knights must advance at least to the second round for any chance at a return. His high scoring “Wild Bill” days largely in the past, Karlsson was still productive in his just 14 games this season, posting four goals and seven points. Currently operating with Tomáš Hertl at third line center, Vegas has fared well without their original misfit, whose team has changed greatly since his last time on the ice, primarily with John Tortorella now behind the bench. Now, down in the series to the electric Utah Mammoth, there’s work to be done for the 33-year-old to add to his impressive 111 career playoff games (74 points), all but five of which games as a Golden Knight.