Matvei Michkov passed one of the first tests of his young career and will look to author another strong performance Thursday when the Philadelphia Flyers visit the Ottawa Senators.

One of the league's most dynamic rookies, Michkov was a healthy scratch in consecutive games for Philadelphia last week. However, coach John Tortorella reinserted the 19-year-old Russian into the lineup Monday against the San Jose Sharks, and Michkov responded with a goal in regulation and another in the shootout.

"He played good," Tortorella said after the 4-3 victory. "... I wasn't worried about how he was going to respond. I wasn't worried about that at all. He competes."

Michkov's absence was framed by the organization as more of a reset, rather than a punishment; an opportunity to build on what he's already learned while watching a couple of games from the press box.

"With the two games missing, I had plenty of energy and feel really good," Michkov said through an interpreter. "The two games I watched, it was good to watch and good to get some time off and rethink."

Meanwhile, from a team standpoint, the Flyers are playing their best hockey of the season. They have earned a point in three straight games for the first time in 2024-25 and, since starting the season 1-5-1, they have put forth positive efforts against quality teams like the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers.

"You can sense that our game is really coming," said speedy forward Travis Konecny, who leads the team in goals (eight) and assists (nine). "We're playing more consistently the last four games in the style we want to play and getting better results."

The Senators have been getting better results lately, as well. After a stretch of five losses in seven games, Ottawa went on the road and defeated the Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, allowing ju...