WASHINGTON — The loss of Sean Couturier for at least two weeks drastically impacts the makeup of the Flyers’ first-round best-of-seven series against the Capitals.
Aside from who will replace him in the lineup — that being Scott Laughton — there’s ramifications of his absence being felt throughout the roster. The biggest being just exactly what the lines will look like for Game 2.
Head coach Dave Hakstol will use Friday’s off day to figure out how he wants to assemble his four lines. Moving Jake Voracek to the second group with Brayden Schenn at center, alongside Sam Gagner is an option, as is keeping the top line of Wayne Simmonds, Claude Giroux and Voracek intact and inserting Michael Raffl or Matt Read up into the second unit with Schenn in the middle.
However it shakes out, the one move that is almost certain is Schenn’s sliding from wing to center.
“Schenner has been able to do that throughout the year, so if we need to make that change, I know he’ll be comfortable doing it,” Hakstol said. “He’s very comfortable in both of those spots, in fact all three spots up front.”
“I’ve been playing all three positions all year now,” Schenn said. “Wherever I’m at, it doesn’t really matter.”
He’s right.
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So far this season, it hasn’t really mattered where Schenn has been or what his role has been. In the 18 games Couturier has missed this season, Schenn registered 14 points with eight of his 26 goals.
Once again, he’ll be looked upon to provide some much needed two-way play in Couturier’s absence. The 24-year-old has had a season of career-highs, with 26 goals, 33 assists and 59 points.
“He’s always been a very important player for us,” Hakstol said. “I’ve said it all the way along down the stretch here, his commitment to his 200-foot game, his hunger to improve all the little areas of his game as he grows and matures as a player have been impressive and effective throughout the year.”
The Flyers will need that 200-foot game of his even more so with Couturier sidelined and the vaunted Washington offense looking to run away with the series.