Flyers scratch Michkov for 2nd straight game

Philadelphia Flyers phenom Matvei Michkov was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game Saturday for the team's 4-3 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Flyers scratched the 19-year-old for Thursday's 2-1 shootout win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, with head coach John Tortorella citing developmental reasons.

Michkov was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October and ranks second on Philadelphia in goals (four) and points (10) in 13 appearances.

The Russian winger slipped to seventh in the 2023 NHL Draft over concerns about when he'd arrive in North America. However, his surprisingly quick move to the Flyers ahead of this season is making that pick look like a steal.

Philadelphia enters Saturday sitting 27th in the NHL standings.