Dvorak has bounced around from the NHL and AHL so far this season, but has yet to appear in a game with Tucson (AHL). In 12 games with the Coyotes, he has one goal and four assists (five points) and will draw back onto the second line tonight with Brad Richardson (leg) out indefinitely.
Dvorak was sent down to Tucson, but never appeared in a game. He has been recalled and will be in the lineup on Thursday because Martin Hanzal is nursing a lower-body injury. He has three assists in seven games.
Dvorak, 20, appeared in seven of the first eight games of the season, collecting three assists while averaging 13:45 TOI. With Dvorak heading back to the AHL, Dylan Strome is expected to play a much bigger role for the Coyotes.
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.
Dvorak had one assist in 16:17 TOI in his NHL debut on Saturday, but will come out of the lineup tonight in favour of fellow rookie Dylan Strome. Don’t expect Dvorak to sit for long.
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.
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.
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.
Thompson has missed the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in June. Thompson is expected to slot in on the Ducks’ fourth line against his former team. With Thompson back in the lineup, Patrick Maroon will likely be the healthy scratch.
Couturier has missed the last two games with a concussion and could miss his third straight contest on Thursday. Monitor Couturier’s status heading into the weekend.
