The Philadelphia Flyers recently changed coaches after three unremarkable seasons. Despite the team`s uncertain future, rookie forward Matvei Michkov has been a bright spot.
Michkov has been performing exceptionally well recently, scoring four goals and providing three assists in his last three games, including two games with two goals each.
In a recent 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, Michkov contributed two assists, equaling Peter Zezel`s record for the sixth-most multi-point games (18) by a Flyers rookie. He also matched Eric Lindros, Larry Goodenough, and Bill Barber for the ninth-most assists (34) by a Flyers rookie.
Michkov, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is playing his first season in North America after leaving his KHL contract. He currently holds the second position in points among NHL rookies (58), only trailing Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (62).
In a 7-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, Michkov scored twice, opening the scoring in a high-scoring game.
Just over five minutes into the game against Buffalo, Flyers defenseman Egor Zemula blocked a shot, leading to a fast break. Travis Konecny of the Flyers picked up the puck and skated with Michkov on a two-on-one opportunity. Michkov received the puck, moved into the offensive zone, and scored with a shot under the Sabres goalie`s glove.
In the second period, Konecny and Michkov teamed up again for another goal. Sean Couturier, the Flyers captain, passed the puck to Konecny, who quickly passed it to Michkov, who was speeding ahead. Michkov then scored with a backhand shot.
Michkov is currently on a six-game point streak, having accumulated four goals and six assists.
The Flyers forward is making a strong push for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL`s best rookie. While Lane Hutson is currently favored, Michkov is close behind in offensive stats and is proving to be a key player for the Flyers` future.
The competition for the NHL points lead is intensifying as the regular season nears its end. Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning is a leading contender, consistently scoring points.
Kucherov recently had an eight-game point streak, during which he scored five goals and made 14 assists.
This season, in 71 games, Kucherov has amassed 111 points (33 goals, 78 assists), trailing Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche by just three points for the league lead (114). Kucherov, the previous season`s points leader and Art Ross Trophy winner, has scored in four of his last six games and had four consecutive games with multiple assists before a recent game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In a 5-3 victory against the New York Islanders, Victor Hedman of the Lightning found Kucherov in the neutral zone, who then moved quickly towards the net. Kucherov received the puck, accelerated into the offensive zone, and scored with a powerful shot off the post.
Later in the same game, with the Lightning leading 3-0, Kucherov turned playmaker. He received a pass and instead of shooting, he passed to Brayden Point for an easy goal.
Kucherov is on track to reach 128 points this season, which would be his second-highest career total. He has already achieved his fourth consecutive 100-point season after scoring 144 points in the 2023-24 season.
Kucherov`s playmaking skills have been particularly evident recently, and he is expected to remain a strong contender for the points lead alongside MacKinnon as the season concludes.
The New York Rangers are in a playoff battle as the regular season winds down. Despite an inconsistent season, Adam Fox has been a consistent performer on their defense.
Fox is second on the Rangers in points (56) and assists (47) and leads the team in power-play assists (16). The experienced defenseman has recorded three goals and one assist in his last three games, including a two-goal game in a 6-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
During the game against San Jose, Fox scored after great puck movement from his teammates. Mika Zibanejad passed to Brennan Othmann, who then set up Fox for a goal.
Later in the game, with the Rangers leading 4-0, Fox scored again. After a shot went wide, J.T. Miller tried to push the puck in, and it bounced off the goalie. Fox then tapped the puck into the net.
Fox has been more offensively involved recently, taking nine shots in his last three games.
As the Rangers aim for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, Fox`s offensive contribution will likely be crucial.
Jordan Binnington has been playing exceptionally well since the 4 Nations Face-Off, helping the St. Louis Blues in their fight for a Western Conference Wild Card playoff spot.
Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, Binnington has a 10-2-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
The Blues goalie has only allowed three goals in his last three games, all of which were wins for the Blues. In his most recent game, Binnington saved 20 of 21 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings.
Binnington has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 13 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off and has won his last six starts.
The Blues have been on an 11-game winning streak since March 15th. Binnington`s high level of play is crucial for St. Louis as they compete for a playoff spot.
