Scott Laughton, among other Flyers, will replace injured Couturier

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Just when the playoff lights were shining upon the Flyers — they are within four points of a wild card berth — the club learned it would be without its second line centerman Sean Couturier for a month.

Couturier will miss 15 crucial games between now and March 5 as the Flyers face their most difficult stretch of games that players feel will make or break their playoff aspirations.

“Injuries are part of the game,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol said. “They always have been and they always will be in the future.

“Obviously, the news with Coots today isn’t the news that you want to hear coming to the rink after a good win, but that being said, we got a group of guys here that believe in what we’re doing. We’ll get ready to go and play tomorrow.”

The Flyers, who have won twice this week, now embark on a stretch in which they play five games in eight days, starting with a back-to-back effort against the New York Rangers on Saturday and a trip to Washington on Super Bowl Sunday.

While Nick Cousins was recalled from the Phantoms on Friday afternoon, Hakstol said he wants to minimize the trickle-down effect on his lineup.

He seemed to be leaning toward moving Scott Laughton into Couturier’s spot between Sam Gagner and Brayden Schenn. He also said he likes how Schenn has played this season at right wing and would prefer not to move him into the middle.

Cousins, it seems, would replace Laughton, if this pans out.

Couturier, who was challenged by Hextall last offseason to up the ante in his offensive play, has done that with nine goals and 24 points, while still averaging 2:08 shorthanded minutes per game, which is third-highest among the forwards.

That the Flyers are 2-6-1 without him in the lineup says volumes. He’s not an easy body to replace. A committee of players will have to assume responsibilities.

“We’re gonna consider some things,” Hakstol said. “Coots is a big loss to our team, but we’ve got a bunch of guys here that believe in what we’re doing. Everybody’s gonna have to chip in and take a little bit of that slack.

“One guy’s not gonna step into that role and do it all. Everybody’s got to step in. We’re gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing, keep fighting and scratching and clawing and playing well.”

Laughton is itching for a chance to move up. He had just 10:13 of ice time against Nashville, yet was a key offensive cog with two stretch passes that both resulted in goals.

“Laughts made a couple plays that helped us gain a little offense,” Hakstol said. “I thought last night was one of his better games over the last couple weeks. Hopefully that’s a spring board into the near future.

“Laughts was a good reliable player last night at both ends of the rink. He provided offense. A night like last night, when you’re not on specialty teams, minutes are tough to come by. I guess when I look at his role specifically 5 on 5, which is what he was last night, he had a good night.”

Laughton has been between Michael Raffl and Matt Read on the new fourth line.

“I would love the challenge,” Laughton said of moving up. “I hope it happens and hope I can prove I can play key minutes and good defense and let offense take care of itself.

“Sean brings a lot. He’s good in both ends. He’s shown he’s really good in the offensive end this year, too. It’s a big loss and guys have to step up, myself included. Gotta have a good couple weeks here. It’s the biggest stretch of the season for us. I am looking forward to it.”

This will be another transition time for Schenn, as well.

“[Couturier’s] obviously a huge piece to this team,” Schenn said. “He brings it at both ends for us, plays PK, PP. Real valuable, but it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up. Everyone is gonna have to chip in and help fill what he does for us.

“For me, I go out and try to worry about what I am doing now. I feel comfortable on the right side and feel I am playing well there, also.”

Hakstol doesn’t seem inclined to move Schenn, either.

“That’s something we talked about through the three-game stretch, but he’s doing a great job on the right side,” Hakstol said. “He’s been real good in his role there.”

Loose pucks
Jakub Voracek took a deflected puck to the face at Friday's optional practice. He received some medical attention but returned to the ice. ... Off the 6-3 victory in Nashville, the Flyers have now outscored opponents 11-5 in the first period over their last nine games. Prior to that, they were outscored 36-17 in the first period this season. ... Laughton recorded his first-career two-assist game and his second career multi-point game. ... Five Flyers extended scoring streaks: Rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has a six-game streak (1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points); Wayne Simmonds (6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points); Jakub Voracek (3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points) and Schenn (4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points) each have five-game streaks. Team captain Claude Giroux has a three-game streak (2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points). ... The Flyers have scored a power play goal in six consecutive games, going 9 for 25 (36 percent).

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