Injuries to Jake Voracek and Nolan Patrick has the Flyers in a bind as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.
The injury news that the Philadelphia Flyers released on Tuesday could have been worse.
Carter Hart may skate before Wednesday’s game against the Washington Capitals but isn’t game-ready yet — and might not be until next week. Nolan Patrick is a possibility to suit up. Jake Voracek won’t play but the team is hopeful he won’t be out of the lineup long after needing an MRI Monday.
Considering the team is still in a long-shot playoff run, more serious injuries could have hurt a lot more. Instead, the Flyers might only be dealt one man-game lost from forwards by the time they return to the ice on Saturday.
But it’d be too optimistic to say that the injuries won’t have too large of an effect. The line rushes in practice Tuesday prove that.
Patrick was centering Philly’s first line between Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny, while Voracek was supplying plenty of firepower on the team’s dangerous second line with Sean Couturier and Oskar Lindblom. Anytime you lose two top-six forwards, there’s going to be pain, but things really don’t look good right now:
No Voracek or Patrick (skated on his own) at practice today, Lines may very well change tomorrow but these are line they're running today:
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) March 5, 2019
Giroux - Couturier - Lindblom
Raffl - Laughton - Konecny
JVR - Knight - Hartman
Varone - Bailey
Same D pairs. Elliott in "starter" net.
Scott Laughton is now centering the second line with Michael Raffl, two players have been on Philly’s fourth line when things have been more fortunate on the injury front. Corban Knight is also on the third and the depth that has been there lately for the Flyers is now gone.
The first line can be trusted, but breaking up the top two lines is difficult. Since Lindblom, Couturier and Voracek were put together on Jan. 10, the trio has accumulated 66 points.
Giroux’s also quietly put up nine points in his last five games with Konecny and Patrick. Couturier and Lindblom shouldn’t affect that much, but the depth is what will hurt the Flyers.
If both Voracek and Patrick miss the game, it will also force the team to use 11 forwards and seven defensemen. Some are fine with that rout because it rotates a talented forward more frequently, but that point is dismissed when the forward depth is already depleted.
The blueliners have to be used to the rotations and difference in rhythm, though. Head coach Scott Gordon has used the tactic a few times this season.
Continuing on the bright side, Patrick could play tonight and help shore up any depth issues for the Flyers. With playoffs on the line and every game a near must-win, Philadelphia has to hope for that with the Capitals coming to town.