Sean Couturier lit up the ice with two goals and two assists, racking up a +4 plus-minus and 2 penalty minutes in the Flyers’ 5-2 victory over the Panthers. His performance was a throwback to his Selke-winning days, powering the team to their first victory of the season and Rick Tocchet’s first as Flyers Coach.
That two-way dominance, especially shutting down top lines while producing offensively, mirrors his 2019-20 Selke-winning season (59 points, elite defensive metrics). Small sample, sure, but if he keeps this up, he’s absolutely back to that elite form.
if Sean Couturier is truly back to his 2019-20 Selke form—locking down top lines, winning 60% of faceoffs, and chipping in offensively like he did in the opener (2 goals, 2 assists, +4)—the Flyers could be a nightmare for opponents. His two-way game at that level elevates the entire lineup, boosts possession, and makes Philly a legit playoff threat.
Last night’s game suggests he’s channeling the form that made him a Selke Trophy winner in 2019-20. His 33.3% shooting percentage and 59.7% faceoff win rate are strong early signs, reminiscent of his peak years (like 2017-18 and 2018-19 with 76 points each). While it’s only a small sample, his impact on both ends of the ice looks like vintage Couturier. If he sustains this, he’s back to being a two-way force.
Trevor Zegras couldn’t speak highly enough of Couturier, following the home opener, “Amazing. He does so many little things right. As a younger guy that’s still learning, he’s an awesome guy to look up to He’s helped me a ton with face offs and to play the game the right way He’s a great leader for the group for sure.”
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