Deslauriers did not make the trip to Winnipeg after sustaining a lower-body injury on a hit to the knee late in Saturday’s win over the Panthers. With Deslauriers out, Nick Baptiste has been recalled from Rochester (AHL).
Couturier must have been banged up during last night’s game in Montreal and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday. The Flyers recalled Taylor Leier in case Couturier is unavailable.
Sedlak, 23, was a healthy scratch in the first two games of the year, but the sixth round pick will draw into the lineup for his NHL debut tonight. Sedlak had 18 points (14G / 4A) in 54 games with Lake Erie (AHL) a season ago. He will replace Sam Gagner in the lineup.
Ristolainen, 21, is coming off of a great sophomore season in which he tallied nine goals and 32 assists (41 points) in 82 games. Ristolainen led all Sabres players in ice-time last year as well, eating up a monstrous 25:16 per night, which ranked 10th in the NHL. Ristolianen’s possession numbers leave the Sabres wanting more, but as a 21-year-old defenseman, he is just scratching the surface of what he can become.
Konecny, 19, was the 24th overall selection in 2015 and made the Flyers’ opening night roster following a great training camp. Konecny had 101 points (30G / 71A) in 60 games between the Ottawa 67’s and Sarnia Sting (OHL) last year and will star this year in the Flyers’ top-6 on a line with Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek.
Couturier was crunched into the board by Alex Ovechkin in Game 1 and skated to the bench with his arm hanging. It immediately looked like a shoulder injury that would force him to miss some time and that length of time has been determined to be two weeks. Scott Laughton will replace Couturier in Game 2.
Ellis has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury, but he practiced on Monday and skated in the Predators’ optional morning skate. Monitor Ellis’ status during the pre-game warmups and expect Stefan Elliott to be scratched if he can play.
Ellis left Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury and did not skate this morning, so do not expect to see him suit up tonight. The Predators have recalled Stefan Elliott from Milwaukee (AHL) to take Ellis’ spot in the lineup.
Thompson will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. With Thompson out, Shawn Horcoff will remain in the lineup as the Ducks’ fourth line centre.
Couturier has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return Tuesday vs. the Hurricanes. Couturier will likely take on a heavier offensive role on Tuesday with Claude Giroux sidelined. Couturier has picked up 26 points (9G / 15A) in 40 games this season.
Deslauriers has been out since January 2nd with a lower-body injury, but will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Deslauriers has averaged just 9:39 TOI and posted seven points (3G / 4A) in 38 games this season.
Couturier has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but is expected to play on Tuesday. Prior to getting injury, Couturier collected six goals and eight assists (14 points) in his previous 14 games. His return will provide a nice offensive boost to the Flyers’ top-6.
Couturier will be scratched on Thursday vs. the Penguins, which is a tough break for the Flyers. Couturier usually serves as a checking forward against Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. With Couturier out, Jordan Weal will make his Flyers debut.
Braun was hit in the face by a puck in Monday’s win over the Flames and is listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s game in Winnipeg. If Braun can’t play, expect Matt Tennyson to be in the lineup.
Johansen quickly fell into John Tortorella’s doghouse as soon as he was hired, but he still managed to record 26 points (6G / 20A) in 38 games this season. Entering the season he was viewed as one of the NHL’s brightest young stars after recording 63 (33G / 30A) and 71 points (26G / 45A) in back-to-back seasons. The Predators desperately needed help in their top-6 and Johansen could slot in on the second line with Colin Wilson and James Neal to start.
Deslauriers suffered the injury in Saturday’s loss to the Red Wings, but finished the game. The injury will keep him out until late January, early February.
