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Matvei Michkov could be clawing his way back into Calder Trophy race

Our baby could be climbing back into the Calder Trophy race.

Matvei Michkov
© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Less than two weeks ago, Thomas Williams outlined why Matvei Michkov is losing the Calder Trophy race. And it wasn’t exactly hard to see why. The 20-year-old rookie was in the midst of a five-game point drought and a stretch with just two points in nearly a calendar month (13 games). Since then, however, Michkov has started to turn it on a bit.

Michkov now has points in three straight games and five points (two goals, three assists) in his last six games since scoring against the Anaheim Ducks on January 11. That’s brought him up to 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points, which is coincidentally exactly where San Jose Sharks rookie and Calder Trophy favorite Macklin Celebrini stands. But Celebrini has played in 38 games to Michkov’s 46, and the centerman understandably plays a bigger role on an underwhelming Sharks team.

We rightfully gave Joel Farabee his props on Wednesday, and now it’s Sean Couturier’s other winger’s turn. The Farabee – Couturier – Michkov line has been tremendous in three games — an extremely small sample size — but it could be just what the doctor ordered for the Flyers.

The line combined for the lone 5-on-5 goal in the team’s overtime win on Tuesday night with Farabee finishing off a nice passing play from Michkov and Couturier. They’ve been generating tons of chances while limiting the opposition as well.

in 35:06 at 5-on-5Shot AttemptsShots on GoalScoring ChancesHigh-Danger ChancesExpected Goals
Farabee – Couturier – Mickhov49-22 (69.01%)26-7 (78.79%)28-12 (70%)16-1 (94.12%)3.47-0.55 (86.24%)
via Natural Stat Trick

Once again, it’s an extremely small sample size, but it’s encouraging for three players who have found their minutes limited at different times this season.

They’re three players that should play well together in theory with Michkov’s playmaking, Couturier’s two-way play, and Farabee as an energy guy who can hopefully start finishing soon. And if they can keep this up it will go a long way in how Michkov’s rookie season is perceived.

As of Wednesday night, Michkov has the third-best odds in the Calder Trophy market. Celebrini is the odds-on favorite at -135 (implying a 57.45% chance), Lane Hutson is +130 (43.48%), and Michkov can be found way behind at +1900 (5%).

Sure, some sportsbooks have Michkov’s Calder Trophy odds as low as +1000 (9.09% implied), but that still may be a bit long given how the Russian winger can put up points in bunches. He’s on a line that’s producing right now, is still on the top power-play unit, and has a nearly two-week break coming up in which he’ll rest and recharge for the final 25 games.

Michkov was also still playing well despite his point drought throughout most of December. His 56.05 xGF% leads all Flyers forwards and his 0.82 ixG/60 trails only Farabee (0.87).

If Michkov is able to continue this type of play on a line that is clicking, his point totals should come along with it. And the Flyers potentially making a late playoff push will only further his case.

Celebrini and Hutson are the rightful favorites right now, but that doesn’t mean Michkov can’t sneak his way back in there. He’ll be one of the three finalists at the very least.

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