Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov did not play in Game 4 of the second-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, which ended in a 3-2 overtime loss and a 0-4 series sweep. The Russian rookie was held pointless over the three games he did appear in during the series.
Through eight total playoff games this postseason, Michkov has recorded just one assist (0+1) with a minus-3 plus/minus rating. His absence from the lineup in the decisive matchup underscores a challenging stretch for the 20-year-old, who entered the playoffs with promise after a solid regular season.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella opted for other forwards in Game 4, leaving Michkov as a healthy scratch. The team’s top prospect has struggled to find his rhythm at the highest level, and the series against the Hurricanes proved particularly tough for the young Russian.
