The 2025–26 season saw many sour on 21-year-old forward Matvei Michkov. After a stellar rookie showing where he was the Philadelphia Flyers‘ top goalscorer and most efficient point-getter, criticisms about his conditioning emerged. He was the team’s ninth-most-used forward for a significant portion of the campaign.
Everything has changed over the last two months, however. From the start of February through the end of the regular season—a 28-game span—Michkov led the Flyers in points despite being sixth among forwards in ice time.
More recently, Michkov’s production has surpassed “impressive compared to his teammates” territory. Right now, he’s one of the hottest players in the NHL.
Michkov Is One of April’s Top Point-Getters Despite Low Usage
Aside from their last game, which counted for nothing, the Flyers were in full playoff push mode during the month of April. So, it’s pretty remarkable that Michkov put up the numbers he did: four goals and seven assists in eight games. His 11 points are tied for the sixth-most in the NHL.
Michkov’s ice time makes this even more fascinating. He only averaged 14:23 per game, which is over two minutes below anyone else who has reached the double-digit points mark.
According to Natural Stat Trick, 16 players have double-digit points during the month of April.
— Justin Giampietro (@justingiam) April 16, 2026
Among them are Matvei Michkov (11) and Porter Martone (10).
Michkov, notably, has the least ice time out of the group. T-6th in April point-scoring. pic.twitter.com/TzBEjb30iR
If we sort by points per 60 minutes, Michkov’s mark of 5.73 ranks third in the league among skaters with more than one game played. Among those with at least 100 minutes recorded in April, he ranks first.
This was the most important stretch of the regular season for the Flyers—it is for any team in the hunt. Their 6–2–0 record in April stands as one of the best in the league, and Michkov was one of the masterminds behind it.
Michkov’s Magic Goes Back to Mid-March
Michkov was particularly dominant in April, but his hot streak started before then. He has been on fire ever since the Flyers’ California road trip in mid-March.
From March 18 to now, Michkov’s 13 points at 5-on-5 are tied for second in the NHL. Only Jack Hughes’ 14 points are ahead, but he put up those numbers in a 274-minute sample compared to Michkov’s 187 minutes.
Expanding to all situations, Michkov ranks fifth in points per 60 among skaters who played 100 or more minutes.
Again, this was far from empty-calorie production. The Flyers tied for the second-best points percentage during the span in question (.750), accumulating a 12–4–0 record en route to a surprise playoff berth.
What Michkov’s Play Means for the Penguins Series
While we’re on the topic, the youngster’s resurgence inspires confidence ahead of the playoffs. It’s hard to imagine his minutes shooting up, but if the Flyers are going to upset the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1, Michkov will likely be a big part of it.
Related: 3 Keys to Flyers Success in 1st-Round Series vs. Penguins
The Flyers’ top two lines are capable of both shutting down the opposition and making plays at 5-on-5. But the most prominent offensive driver over the past month or so has been the third line of Michkov, Noah Cates, and one of either Denver Barkey or Alex Bump.
This is a formula that the Flyers will want to replicate. If Michkov can keep up this otherworldly production, the series probably tilts in Philadelphia’s favor.
The Flyers are eyeing their first playoff series win with fans in the stands since 2012, fittingly against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the Penguins. Instead of a young Claude Giroux, it’ll be Michkov with some weight on his shoulders.
Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick
