Matvei Michkov recalls missed empty-net for hat trick: ‘I barely slept for 4 days’

Michkov opened up about his missed empty-net try for a hat trick late in the season against Montreal.

Matvei Michkov had a lot of firsts during his rookie season with the Philadelphia Flyers. However, one first that he has yet to experience is recording a hat trick.

Michkov had seven multi-goal games during his rookie year, giving him more than a few chances to complete the hat trick. But whether it was the “HAT TRICK WATCH” graphic curse, a failed Michigan attempt, or an empty-net flub, the Russian couldn’t complete the hatty.

The Flyers winger was back in Russia for most of the summer, dominating a 3-on-3 tournament, scoring a Michigan in the KHL-NHL All-Star Game, and meeting with the media. During one of those interviews, Michkov was asked about his infamous failed empty-net attempt.

“Nah, honestly, I barely slept for like four days after that chance where I could’ve scored a hat trick,” Michkov said via translation. “And honestly, I wasn’t even that embarrassed about missing the empty net. I mean, yeah, that’s embarrassing too, but that’s not the main thing.”

Here’s a look at how close he came, in case you forgot.

MICHKOV HITS THE POST ON THE EMPTY NET FOR HIS FIRST CAREER HATTRICK AND IMMEDIATELY RUNS DOWN THE TUNNEL 😭😭#LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/sT1D6VLLSt

— Flyers Clips (@Flyers_Clips) March 28, 2025

Travis Konecny had a chance to put a shot on net himself, but unselfishly passed it over to Michkov for a chance at the hat trick. That’s what Michkov lost sleep over.

“The worst part is that my teammate gave up the shot himself. He could’ve scored on the empty net, but he passed it to me so I could get the hat trick,” Michkov explained. “And then I let him down, missed the shot, so he didn’t get the assist, and I didn’t get the hat trick.”

Michkov and Konecny had quite the connection during the 2024-25 season, despite the lines getting juggled around by John Tororella. Konecny had 10 assists on Michkov’s goals, while the rookie had six assists to TK.

“I felt really bad about it. Later, I went up to him, apologized, thanked him for the pass, and said ‘Thanks, man… sorry about that.’ … He was like, ‘It’s all good. I might’ve missed too,'” Michkov laughed. “‘Who knows how it would’ve gone if I got the same pass? No big deal, there’s always next game. You’ll score then.'”

Konecny was absolutely right as Michkov followed up his two-goal performance against the Canadiens with another pair of goals two days later against Buffalo — both assisted by TK.