Michkov may sit for Game 5 as Flyers' practice shows Bump could enter lineup

VOORHEES, N.J. — It looks like Rick Tocchet could be making a lineup change up front for Game 5.

Matvei Michkov skated with the team’s extra forwards Carl Grundstrom and Garrett Wilson in Sunday’s practice, an indication that the 21-year-old winger very well could be a healthy scratch Monday night.

Meanwhile, Alex Bump skated with Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster, a sign that he’s poised to enter the lineup.

After the Flyers’ regular-season finale, Tocchet noted how he wanted to play Bump at some point in the playoffs. And following the Flyers’ 4-2 loss Saturday night in Game 4, Tocchet mentioned the need for energy.

The head coach didn’t confirm any lineup changes after practice, but he did like how Bump performed.

“We just wanted to try some stuff today,” Tocchet said. “Whether he’s in tomorrow, we’ll find out. But he really looked good in practice today with his shot and energy. After last game, I think we need some energy. We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

Michkov has gone scoreless through four games of the Flyers’ best-of-seven first-round playoff matchup against the Penguins. The Flyers have a 3-1 series lead going into Game 5 at PPG Paints Arena (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). Tocchet went with the same 12 forwards in the first four games.

In 10:06 minutes per game, Michkov has recorded four shots, six penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He went into the playoffs with serious momentum, but his production and effectiveness just haven’t been there. When Michkov is at his best, you can see the jump in his legs and his activity around the net.

Tocchet said he evaluates Michkov along with the Flyers’ other young players like Bump and Denver Barkey. All three are playing in their first NHL playoffs.

“I just think he’s a part of the young group,” Tocchet said. “Barks went through it a little bit, Bump a little bit. Not hit the wall, but you kind of plateau. There’s a lot of pace in the playoffs, you’re looking for that sort of stuff from the young guys.

“Not just to pick on them, but I think it’s OK to evaluate them every once in a while, give them a rest and stuff — whether it’s Matvei, whether it’s Bumper, it doesn’t really matter. I think that’s the way you develop players.”

If Bump plays, he’ll be making his playoff debut.

“I’m stoked,” the 22-year-old winger said. “Just try to help the team any way I can, whether that’s blocking a shot, scoring a goal — whatever I can do to help is what I’m going to try to do.”

Bump opened eyes as a rookie down the stretch. He had five goals and four assists over 17 games after being called up for his NHL debut in March.

“I think he slows the game down a lot, he sees the ice really well and kind of hangs onto pucks a little bit, too, which is nice,” Owen Tippett said. “He settles things down a lot for us when he does have the puck on his stick.”

Here’s how the Flyers looked at practice:

Forwards

Denver Barkey-Trevor Zegras-Owen Tippett
Travis Konecny-Christian Dvorak-Porter Martone
Alex Bump-Noah Cates-Tyson Foerster
Luke Glendening-Sean Couturier-Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen

Travis Sanheim-Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York-Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler-Emil Andrae

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