VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers have given up 5.25 objectives per recreation over their final 4 video games and so they face the NHL’s most prolific objective scorer Tuesday night time within the warmth of a playoff race.
John Tortorella has determined to fight Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs with out Sean Couturier.
With out the participant that has a “C” on his jersey and a 2019-20 Selke Trophy on his résumé.
Couturier might be a wholesome scratch.
Tortorella, a veteran head coach with a Stanley Cup ring, has pushed loads of the best buttons this season. However undoubtedly, that is certainly one of his boldest selections in two seasons with the Flyers.
Couturier, as aggressive as they get, a nothing-comes-easy-against-me heart, was visibly upset Tuesday after morning skate.
“It is powerful,” he mentioned. “I really feel I have been placing the work in for some time, I do know I have been struggling, attempting to work on my recreation. Undoubtedly pissed off with the best way I have been handled round, I assume, recently. It’s what it’s.”
Amid the struggles, the 31-year-old noticed a demotion within the lineup beginning round mid-February. His minutes have been lower significantly. After lacking virtually 22 months due to two again surgical procedures, Couturier opened the season wholesome and because the Flyers’ first-line heart. He carried out and was used like one regardless of the lengthy layoff.
Not too long ago, Couturier’s recreation has appeared to enhance. Because the Flyers have surrendered objectives at a regarding clip, Couturier has recorded an help, has gained 26 of his 40 faceoffs (65 p.c) and has only a minus-1 score.
Might now be the time for extra minutes, to depend on the man extremely regarded for his defensive monitor document?
“I feel there are a variety of gamers, him being one, that should be higher,” Tortorella mentioned Monday after observe.
Because the Flyers host Toronto (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP), Couturier will watch together with Cam Atkinson, Denis Gurianov and Marc Staal.
“I’ve gotten the identical solutions as you guys, simply have to see extra,” Couturier mentioned. “I am nonetheless seeking to discover out what that’s. I am attempting each recreation, it isn’t like I am simply sitting round or doing nothing I feel. I felt the final couple of video games, with the restricted ice time or alternatives I have been getting, I have been doing all proper. However I assume we’re going with one of the best lineup accessible tonight to get a win, so it’s what it’s.
“Would not matter, truthfully, what I feel. I’ve received to depart my ego apart I assume. Hopefully the staff finds a method to get a win right here tonight and I can get again into it quickly.”
Couturier performed a season-low 11:10 minutes final Saturday in the Flyers’ 6-5 loss to the Bruins. He has performed below 13 minutes 4 occasions over the previous 14 video games. Over his earlier six seasons, he had by no means performed below 13 minutes in a full recreation.
Are the less minutes a method to monitor Couturier’s workload or is it strictly performance-related?
“I feel that is extra of a query for Torts and the way Torts manages his minutes,” assistant coach Rocky Thompson mentioned Tuesday. “I am unable to get into the thoughts of our head coach that approach. I feel Coots has executed a very good job, he works extraordinarily onerous in observe and he is attempting to get himself higher, surely.”
On the finish of February, Tortorella mentioned the scaling again of Couturier’s utilization was not for the aim of managing his minutes.
Suffice it to say a benching right now of the 12 months will check a competitor like Couturier, a Flyer since he was 18.
“I management what I can management, it’s what it’s,” he mentioned. “We transfer on.”
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