Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder
The Flyers much anticipated home opener will be at 6pm sharp today. There will be a block party before the home opener. It’s from 3-4:30, and all fans that have tickets to the game can attend. There will also be live music, yard games, inflatables, face paintings, and drink specials. Here are three other things to know or watch for in the home opener tonight.
Will Sean Couturier make his much anticipated return to the lineup at the Wells Fargo Center?
A veteran in Sean Couturier has registered one assist, and is a plus three in two games played for the Flyers this season. In addition, he led the team in ice time this past Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, while accumulating 20:39 of ice time. This was supposed to be a big season for Couturier, but it’s a shame he is “Banged up”, per Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella and may miss today’s home opener. It’s very interesting that Tortorella said he’s “Banged up”, as opposed to saying he was absent from practice yesterday with a maintenance day. To be honest, I thought both Couturier and Cam Atkinson would have a lot of maintenance days, which is an excused absence from on-ice activities at practice.
Unfortunately, Tortorella would not elaborate on Couturier’s availability, nor anything in regards to the number one center. This has to be frustrating for all parties involved, but at least it’s not related to his back. Stay tuned for further information as it comes out.
The PHD Line
This line has wreaked havoc on opponents in both games. Ryan Poehling had good a camp and pre-season for that matter. Poehling and Nic Deslauriers produced in the pre-season, which gives tyhe coaching staff to utilize this line in crucial situations as the season wears on. In addition, both Wade Allison and Tanner Laczynski were on the outside looking in before camp began, and thus were ultimately sent back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Both Allison and Laczynski cleared waivers, paving the way for the PHD line. This line could very well wind up being one of the best fourth lines in hockey this season.
Will both Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster be in tonight’s lineup?
Is it possible for both Bobby Brink and Tyson Foerster to be in the lineup for tonight’s home opener? The short answer is yes, as Couturier’s availability for tonight’s game seems to be up in the air at the moment. Both Foerster and Brink earned spots on the opening night roster, and it once appeared unlikely both would be in the lineup for the home opener, but here we are. Expect the unexpected, but both Brink and Foerster have to produce at the NHL level, or they could be sent back to the Phantoms at some point. It’s highly unlikely this comes to fruition to at least start the season. Consistency is the key word here for both of these young, talented prospects. Let’s see how things shape up, as the team will not have a morning skate today. This would have given everyone a more clearer understanding of how the lines might shape up for tonight, but we might have to wait until Tortorella speaks before the game. Here were the lines at practice yesterday, and if Couturier does indeed not play, these could wind up beings the lines tonight:
Konecny-Laughton-Atkinson
Farabee-Frost-Brink
Tippett-Cates-Foerster
Deslauriers-Poehling-Hathaway
Noah Cates summed up the City of Philadelphia yesterday, “It’s an awesome sports city. If you put forth the effort they will love us, and support us.” Cates is right, now it’s time for the Flyers to show their worth.
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