Watch: Flyers’ Matvei Michkov scores in first game back from pneumonia

Oh, this song and dance again? Yep, damn right. Matvei Michkov is back and setting the hearts of Philadelphia Flyers fans on fire once again. There’s nothing this kid can’t do.

Matvei Michkov PP goal in his first game back from pneumonia #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/LTxuRZKbn4

— Jon Bailey (@ByJonBailey) December 28, 2023

In the clip above, Michkov gets to his favored spot at the top of the right circle and alertly waits for the puck to find him all alone at the side of the cage. Once that happens’ it’s already too late for his opponent, Salavat Yulaev. The 19-year-old Flyers prospect easily deposits into the back of the net, marking his return to HK Sochi’s lineup in style. Sochi, however, still lost to Salavat, 6-4.

This was Michkov’s first game back since coming down with pneumonia; he hasn’t played since Dec. 1. Perhaps more surprisingly, Michkov hasn’t scored a goal for Sochi since Nov. 16. Despite that, the future Flyers star still leads the team in goals, with 12.

Though the Flyers finally got that power play goal they found themselves in search of, once again, there’s no denying that Michkov drastically improves their dreadful power play once he arrives. He’s too smart, too quick, and too skilled to not punish his opponents when they’re down a man.

With his goal, Michkov is now up to 12 goals, 15 assists, and 27 points in 30 games played. For those who don’t want to do the math, that’s 0.9 points-per-game. If we prorate this over 82 games, which is what is played in the NHL, Michkov would be on pace for 33 goals, 41 assists, and 74 points. That’s pretty good for a 19-year-old, and not dissimilar to what Connor Bedard is doing for the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL right now.

For the Flyers, the next step will be getting Michkov in the NHL to play against Bedard.

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