Sean Couturier absolutely brought it in Game 1 of the Flyers-Penguins first-round series on Saturday night. The Flyers pulled out a gritty 3-2 road win in Pittsburgh, and Couturier (the Captain) played a huge role in setting the physical tone early.
Couturier delivered the game’s most ferocious hit—leveling Penguins forward Egor Chinakhov midway through the first period and sending him flying. Couturier finished with a game-high seven hits, showing that playoff intensity right away.
“I know it’s playoffs,” Couturier said following the game. “Everyone kind of steps up the intensity. Just trying to have an impact in any way I could early on.”
Veteran leadership like that (along with Travis Sanheim’s big third-period goal) helped the younger Flyers squad settle in against a hostile, towel-waving crowd at PPG Paints Arena. This is Couturier’s first playoff action in years after the Flyers missed the postseason for a while—he’s been through the rebuild and clearly relished getting back to meaningful hockey.
It was a strong, gritty effort from Coots in a rivalry game that matters. The Flyers lead the series 1-0 heading into Game 2. What stood out most to you about his game?
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