Rookie Couturier likely to play in Game 4

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NEWARK, N.J. -- Sean Couturier figures to play in Game 4 Sunday night against the Devils at Prudential Center.

Officially, general manager Paul Holmgren said his rookie shutdown center was a game-time decision, but every indication around the team is that Couturier will play.

Im feeling pretty good, Couturier said after the morning skate.

He was injured in a corner, along the boards tangled up with Devils winger David Clarkson during the first period of Game 3s 4-3 Flyers' loss in overtime.

I was just battling him, Couturier said of the play. And I didnt feel good at one point. I wanted to come back but I couldntIt was scary at the moment. But its getting better and better and hopefully, its all good.

RDS reported Couturier suffered a right skate cut on his leg while other reports said it was a sprained right knee.

Given how well Couturier was skating Sunday, it seems impossible he could recover from a sprained knee in a couple days, especially since Couturiers skating was short and labored on Saturday.

As a player, you always get ready to play or not, Couturier said. Well see tonight whether Im ready to go.

He would not say whether he felt he was ready but coach Peter Laviolette was talking to him on the ice and both were smiling.

Asked how much an improvement from Saturday to today was, Couturier replied, For sure, every day its getting better and better.

Laviolette would not comment on his lineup but he seemed optimistic about Couturier.

Sean is an important piece of the team, Laviolette said. He looked good skating out there. He was smiling. Thats always good.

As expected, defenseman Andrej Meszaros, will not play in Game 4 even though he has begun practicing daily with the team.

His back is still bothering him from disk surgery, Holmgren said, adding he remains day-to-day.

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net

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