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Following their Saturday loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet indicated that there were lineup adjustments coming.
During Sunday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center, they were revealed during line rushes.
The most noteworthy change is that right wing Matvei Michkov appears be drawing out of the lineup for left wing Alex Bump for Game Five tomorrow. To accomodate Bump’s insertion, Tyson Foerster will be moving to the right wing on Noah Cates’ line, while Denver Barkey reunites with Trevor Zegras and Owen Tippett.
In addition, Emil Andrae appears to be returning to the Flyers defense pairings from injury. He’s expected to be partnered with Nick Seeler. Noah Juulsen played in Andrae’s place for Games Two through Four.
Tocchet On The Changes
During his post-practice press availability, Tocchet wouldn’t outright confirm the Michkov scratch and Bump elevation, but hinted that it’s coming.
“We just wanted to try some stuff today. Whether (Bump) is in tomorrow, we’ll find out,” Tocchet said “But he really looked good in practice today. After last game, I think we need some energy.”
One area that the Flyers seemed to struggle with in Game Four was consistent wall-work in fighting for pucks. It’s an area of the game that’s one of Bump’s features.
But there’s little question that the Western Michigan product was excitedly waiting in the wings for his opportunity to get into the lineup.
“Yeah, obviously I’m stoked,” Bump said. “Anyway I can help the team, whether that’s blocking shots, scoring goals, I’ll try to do. You try to do everything you can to be ready. I have to be ready for the physical (and mental) battle. I expect it to be a battle with (Pittsburgh) fighting for their lives.”
But Tocchet did point to the struggles some of their young players like Michkov and Barkey have had with the pace of play. The difference is while Barkey has elevated his play, Michkov has been largely ineffective.
Now Bump gets his opportunity to leave his mark on the series, but it comes at the cost of the Russian’s struggles. However, Tocchet sees as a part of what young players go through, especially in the heightened environment of the playoffs.
“I just think he’s part of the young group,” Tocchet said. “Barks went through it a little bit, Bump a little bit. You don’t hit a hall, but you kind of plateau. There’s a lot of pace in the playoffs. I think it’s ok to evaluate them every once in a while, give them a rest. Whether it’s Matvei, whether it’s Bumper, I think that’s the way you develop them as players.”
Thoughts On The Lineup Changes
Michkov has struggled mightily during the first four games of the series. This is a clear, irrefutable fact.
This takes nothing away from who he is a player, but through the first four games of the series, with the exception of some rush chances, he has been predominantly invisible. Michkov isn’t producing offensively, he doesn’t shield the puck to help with zone exits, and he keeps trying to make plays from a stationary position. He’s not going to make an impact doing those things.
Coaches create their lineups with the mindset, if it ain’t broke, there’s no need to fix it. As the Flyers built a 3-0 series lead over the Penguins, it was understandable that Tocchet didn’t want to shake things up.
But with the Penguins finally adjusting their tactics on Saturday to win the 5v5 battle for the first time in the series, the Flyers head coach has to make his own moves to counter.
And one way to do that is to insert Bump into the lineup, with his ability to win wall battles.
Another key area that Philadelphia struggled with throughout the series is getting extended time in the Penguins end. Andrae’s addition gives the Flyers another defenseman with vision to stretch Pittsburgh defense. And, quite frankly, it’s a simple as knowing that Andrae is just the better overall player.
With the Flyers struggling along the walls in Game 4, I’d think Bump’s motivation, size, and skill, combined with Andrae’s return, should serve them well as they try to close out Pittsburgh on their home ice.
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