If outward appearances mean anything, Nick Schultz should be in the lineup Tuesday in Ottawa as the Flyers attempt a season first – three wins in succession.
Schultz was run hard into the boards by the Rangers Dylan McIlrath in the opening period of Saturday’s 3-0 win in New York.
He fell to the ice, attempted to get up and fell to his knee again. He appeared concussed but passed the protocol testing. He was out for the remainder of the game for precautionary reasons.
“I wanted to go out and skate and everything is good,” Schultz said of Monday’s session, where he rejoined teammates for a full practice.
“I felt fine [today],” he said, indicating he could play on Tuesday.
Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said he prefers going with the same lineup against the Senators but didn’t say for certain that Schultz would play.
“It was good to see him out there today,” Hakstol said. “We’ll continue one step at a time.”
Hakstol said he needed to confer with the medical staff as to Schultz’ availability.
As for the hit, Schultz said he remembers everything.
“I remember everything,” he said. “After the hit, I tried to get up and the legs weren’t quite there. I remember it all …
“He’s a big boy. I didn’t expect a defenseman to come down that low on the rim. Just reading off that first forechecker who was kinda cheating. I didn’t expect anyone behind there or the D coming down. I didn’t expect it.”
The Flyers medical staff kept him from returning.
“I was banged up a little bit,” Schultz said. “The docs thought it was better to stay out and go from there.”
Schultz said he appreciated the fact that Luke Schenn went after McIrath immediately.
“It was a big thing for the guys in the room here,” Schultz said. “It shows a lot for the character of the guys in the room. With our captain [Claude Giroux] going up against [the Islanders’ Nick] Leddy and then with Luke coming in there right away against a big boy.
“It’s not like he is going over there against one of their small players. He’s one of their biggest, toughest guys. You really respect that and appreciate that.”
On defense
Chris VandeVelde played a shift on defense at the end of the first period against the Rangers as the Flyers were down to three blueliners because of injury and penalties.
“Hak just threw me out there and I was back there for about 30 seconds,” VandeVelde said. “I was glad the period ended.”
He said he could not remember playing on defense before, especially as part of a penalty kill unit.
“The situation made it a little tough but we survived,” he said.