Matvei Michkov bore the brunt of the jokes for the Philadelphia Flyers last season. The young Russian forward reportedly arrived at training camp in poor shape, which led to a slow start to the season and a train that couldn't get back on the tracks. It fueled speculation about his future in Philadelphia, but full credit to the 21-year-old: he put his head down and got to work this offseason, sparking a turnaround through the season's first 11 games.
Michkov is now the team's leading scorer with six goals, four more than the next closest player. He has been developing great chemistry with Porter Martone, which is great news for the team's future, and Philadelphia has now won two straight games against the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche, two teams that haven't been easy to beat this season. The Flyers have a long way to go to return to playoff contention, but the season is still only young.
The forward has three goals and an assist over the last two games, which is all the evidence you need to prove that when Michkov is contributing, the Flyers are a dangerous team. Through the team's first nine games, all losses, the Russian had just three points. In their two wins, he has four. If the Flyers are going on a hot streak, they need Michkov engaged every single game.
Some nights in the first nine games were particularly ugly, hurting the forward's production and not painting a pretty picture in his advanced analytics. After 11 games, he sits at 41.2% xGF, but posted 81.6% and 75.8% in his last two games. The water will find its level, as it always does, but if the Flyers can keep Michkov above 50% in most games, they will succeed.
Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone are a formidable Flyers pairing
Rick Tocchet has found something with the Michkov-Martone pairing, as the Flyers' rookie has also posted over 75% xGF in the last two games since they united. Trevor Zegras, not Martone, assisted on Michkov's even-strength goal on Monday night vs. the Colorado Avalanche, and the Martone-Michkov line was outscored 1-0 in their eight minutes. Still, the expected numbers are encouraging and suggest a line that should stay together with Noah Cates.
Flyers fans have been waiting for this version of Michkov to show up, and it is only a two-game sample. However, over 11 games, he is on pace for 46 goals, and if he comes close to that mark, the Michkov haters will be very quiet.
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