Just a few days ago, Nikita Pavlychev had perhaps his best weekend in a Penn State uniform.
Now, he’s out of the lineup ahead of Friday’s matchup against Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
Brett Murray will center the fourth line in Pavlychev’s place.
Murray, a sophomore forward, has played just one game since Dec. 2 and has only one collegiate goal to his name. He also hasn’t centered a line in college.
With the help of linemates James Robinson and Sam Sternschein, Pavlychev shut down the Gophers all weekend long, holding them to just three goals in two games.