Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder
Following a statement 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. It appeared, definitively, that Sean Couturier is back to his normal self. It didn’t take long, only four games to witness this. But, he was the Selke shut down Center that the Flyers and their proud faithful have come to know. According to John Tortorella via his post game press conference, Couturier matched up against Connor McDavid for 21 out of his 22 shifts taking on Thursday night. Coots was relegated with shutting down one of the best players in the game, and he did just that as McDavid went home shotless with just one assist to his name for the night. Even so much so, Couturier registered two assists bringing his point total to four in four games played (1G,3A).
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After undergoing his first full practice at Flyers morning skate in February/March. That was the first time in some time that Sean Couturier was on the ice with his teammates. Couturier was wearing a yellow no-contact practice jersey, he felt pretty good afterwards, “The goal ever since I have gotten surgery was to come back this year,” Couturier said following that particular morning skate. “Here we are getting closer, maybe get a practice in by the end of the week, and go from there.”
That was then, and this is now. Couturier finally played in the Flyers home opener for the first time in two years on Tuesday night. It was something special for him, and he admitted that he is happy to score a goal and get that out of the way. What’s more intriguing is how some of his teammates spoke after the game of him. He is seen as a leader, and his teammates apparently look up to him for advice. Couturier just has that presence about him, it’s the way he carries or presents himself that sets him apart from the rest. He could become the next Captain of the Philadelphia Flyers when that time comes about, “He’s a leader, we look to him for leadership. He’s got a tremendous work ethic,” Carter Hart said following the game.
“To score tonight, especially on the penalty shot. It was a hell of a move, a little Martin St. Louis there,” Carter Hart continued.
The leash has been getting longer and longer for Couturier, for good reason. When healthy Couturier is a top 10 Center in this game…period. Tortorella continues to say that Couturier is getting there, but even he knows after he chuckled following a question yesterday after matching him up with McDavid most of the night, that Couturier is back.
Couturier has this Flyers team flying right now on all cylinders. He arguably is one of the best additions the Flyers made in the offseason. It’s a long season, granted, but those naysayers who have doubted showing Couturier are now seeing the old Couturier on ice.
