[ad_1]
The Flyers have some early adversity on their plate.
Their all-round frontline center Sean Couturier will be out for at least two weeks with a costochondral separation, that is, when one of the ribs pulls away from the breastbone.
Starting Saturday, the Flyers will play seven games over the next two weeks. The Flyers will have to hope that the winner of the 2019-2020 Frank J. Selke Trophy will only need two weeks to recover. The Flyers are off to a 2-0-0 start in their shortened 56-game regular season, which arguably has them in the more competitive realigned division.
Couturier was injured in the Flyers’ 5-2 win over Friday night against the Penguins. The 28-year-old was forced out of the game and did not return after receiving a hit from Jared McCann 1:38 in action.
There is a two-week deadline until January 30. The Flyers face the Islanders on Jan.31, followed by the Bruins on Feb.3.
Over the past two seasons, Couturier has won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the club’s most valuable player. He’s doing it all for the Flyers, playing big even-matched minutes against the best lines of the opposition, as well as the club’s best units for power play and penalties.
Last season, Couturier placed first among the Flyers in even strength points (46), faceoff winning percentage (59.6%) and over-under (over-21), second in points (59) and shots (185), tied for second in assists (37), third in goals (22) and shorthanded on the ice (140: 29), fourth in time on the ice per game ( 19:50) and tied for fifth in power play points (13).
Couturier can’t return to Friday night’s game tells you a lot about the pain of the injury. He is not easily knocked out or kept out of games. In the first round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Couturier racked up six points (four goals, two assists) in Games 5 and 6 while playing on a ripped MCL. Last season, when the Flyers were trying to monitor his shoulder strain, he still took a few face-offs sneakily. Couturier also played Game 7 of their second-round outing against the Islanders with an MCL sprain. He possesses a silent inner tenacity.
“He’s an elite player and you realize how good he is when you see him on the ice every day and see how he’s going to live his life,” said Kevin Hayes last July.
Couturier’s injury opens the door for talented 21-year-old center prospect Morgan Frost and will force the Flyers to adjust to the middle.
Subscribe and rate Flyers Talk
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | Youtube
[ad_2]
Source link