Possible Line Changes for Nick Cousins and Matt Read

Despite having a shortage of players due to injuries and suspensions, Flyers coach Dave Hakstol is still trying to exert some pressure on his team so none of his players get too comfortable in their designated position.

Nick Cousins has two assists in two games. Matt Read has one goal. The two forwards switched lines during Monday’s practice at Johnny’s Icehouse West in Chicago, in preparation for the coming game against the Blackhawks. Roman Lyubimov also took some of Cousins’ shifts in practice.

Coach Hakstol seldom changes his lineup when the Flyers win. With Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Arizona, he now has an excuse to make lineup changes. “We’re going to consider different things,” Hakstol said to reporters about Tuesday’s lineup. “Nothing is set in stone yet, but we’re looking at a couple different things.”

Read, who scored a goal and came within a hair of winning the game in overtime, moved into Cousins’ spot on Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s line with Dale Weise.

Cousins dropped to Boyd Gordon’s fourth line with Chris VandeVelde. In addition, Lyubimov took some of his shifts, too.

“Yeah, he went on the right side a couple of times today on Gordo’s (Boyd Gordon) line,” said Hakstol, who did mention he wanted to get Lyubimov into a game very soon. “We’ll give it some thought.”

Lyubimov was under the impression that he would be playing against the Blackhawks. “I think so, yes, I will play,” said Lyubimov told reporters through limited English. “It’s my chance to start to play.”

It is possible to include all three in the lineup, if someone like Chris VandeVelde sits.

Hakstol applauded Read for his effort in training camp and said he’s had “an impact” on the team’s first few games.

“I played maybe four, five shifts with Bellemare last game,” Read said to reporters. “We had some good offensive chances. I don’t know how, but our chemistry was there on the first shift with some scoring chances.

“Bellemare is a great centerman, always on the puck and in great position. Weise is kind of the same thing, a hard-nosed player who has an offensive side, as well.”

Cousins played an excellent game against Los Angeles, but struggled against Arizona. He wasn’t alone in the struggle, either, as a good portion of the Flyers skaters had difficulties, as well.

“He does little things that go unnoticed and he contributes,” Hakstol told reporters, talking about Cousins.

The fact that Hakstol didn’t find criticism in Cousins’ play could imply that the 23-year-old is remaining in the lineup, but could be moving down to a different line.

Cousins was not sure, when asked about the lineup change. “There’s competition right now,” Cousins said to reporters. “Schenner (Brayden Schenn) is coming back. Someone will have to come out. If you’re not playing your best every night, you’re going to get taken out. That’s how it works.”

That’s the sense of competition that Hakstol is working on with his players. “It’s healthy,” Cousins said to reporters, when asked about vying for a spot in the lineup. “That’s what you want… A healthy competition that brings out the best in everyone. It’s good.”

Cousins said he feels he has done a “pretty good job” through two games, which Hakstol did not deny. When asked about the possibility of having to move down a line, Cousins admitted he was not sure what to feel about that. “What happens now is out of my hands,” he said to reporters. “That’s the way it is right now and what Hak (Coach Hakstol) sees. I think Reader (Matt Read) played well last game. “If guys are playing well, they’re going to move up in the lineup. I think that’s how it works.”

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