Couturier admitted that he is dealing with a concussion after Tuesday’s morning skate. He will not be in the lineup tonight vs. Buffalo but he could be back in the lineup on Thursday.
Couturier had to be helped off of the ice during the Flyers win over the Bruins on Wednesday. He was hit high by Bruins forward and former teammate Zac Rinaldo. Couturier may have suffered a concussion, which could keep him out of Saturday’s game vs. the Rangers. Monitor his status leading up to that contest.
Ristolainen missed the start of camp because of an upper-body injury, but participated in practice on Monday and will play on Tuesday. The 20-year-old blueliner had 20 points (8G / 12A) in 78 games with the Sabres last year. He will be a key member of Buffalo’s backend this season and for many years to come.
Thompson took part in the morning skate, but will not be available for Game 4. He remains day-to-day and could be available for Game 5 (if necessary).
Thompson missed the first two games of the series and he will be held out of the lineup for a third consecutive game. He could be back in the lineup for Game 4 on Wednesday.
Ristolainen was held out of Wednesday’s game with an illness, but he is expected to be available for Friday’s contest vs. the Blackhawks. Ristolainen has three goals and one assist in his last three games.
Simmonds was hit in the leg by a Mark Streit shot last night and hobbled off of the ice without putting any weight on his leg. Simmonds reportedly suffered a fracture left leg and will miss the rest of the regular season. Simmonds finishes the season with 28 goals and 22 assists (50 points) in 75 games.
The Sabres will sit Ristolainen tonight vs. the Red Wings and he will be replaced by Andrej Meszaros. Ristolainen has one assist and a minus-5 rating in his last eight games.
Ristolainen was back paired with his usual partner Nikita Zadorov last night vs. the Panthers. He played 19:07 TOI and registered one shot in the 2-0 loss. The Sabres are back in action tonight in New York.
Ristolainen took part in the Sabres morning skate, but will miss his second straight game with the flu. Look for him to be back on Friday vs. Florida.
Ristolainen was left back in Buffalo so he will not be in the lineup tonight. He is listed as day-to-day.
There is an illness making its way around the Sabres locker room and it took Ristolainen victim last night. He is considered day-to-day.
The Flyers tried Chris VandeVelde on the top line on Thursday, but will have Simmonds there to start the game tonight. Simmonds is a natural RW who will shift to the left side, but playing with Jakub Voracek and Claude Giroux should provide ample scoring chances for the big winger. Simmonds has cooled off after a hot start, but has six goals and three assists with a plus-10 rating in 13 games this season.
Couturier was not on the ice on Wednesday because of a stomach virus, but he is back out there today and should play tonight. The young centre has recorded three goals and two assists (5 points) in 12 games this season.
The Flyers are in action on Thursday so monitor Couturier’s status during tomorrow’s morning skate. If he takes part, he should play, if not his status will be in doubt.
Simmonds will open the season on a line with Sean Couturier and Matt Read as he looks to build off of his career-year from a season ago. Simmonds had 29 goals and 31 assists and played a huge role on the Flyers PP, scoring 15 of his goals with the extra man. Despite starting on the third line, there is no doubt that he will be on the top PP unit.
