Philadelphia Flyers: Raffl sidelined, Farabee checks in
After leaving during the game against Boston, the Flyers will be without Michael Raffl for the near future.
The bottom-six played a large role in the Flyers win over Boston on Sunday. That included the play of Michael Raffl. Unfortunately, he got caught up on the boards and would leave the game without returning.
The Flyers did not get good news on his condition. While we won’t know exactly what is ailing him, we do know that he will be out for at least the next game. That is what Alain Vigneault announced on Monday afternoon. The team is unable to give any kind of timetable aside from that.
After taking the hit from Jeremy Lauzon, Raffl was slow to get up. He ended up having to be helped off the ice by Scott Laughton and the Flyers athletic trainer in Jim McCrossin. It appeared that his left leg was what was injured. That came with a little over six minutes remaining in the game.
Raffl had a solid game before the injury. He was a part of a fourth line that took over the first period. He scored the first goal of the game off a backhand in front. He then assisted on Nate Thompson‘s goal a few minutes after. He provides stability and versatility as well. He has the ability to be moved up and down the lineup. Raffl is also an effective penalty killer as well.
So the Flyers will certainly miss him on the ice. But this is a next man up kind of situation and that means Joel Farabee will get his chance to shine. He will be the player checking into the lineup. He will likely check right into Raffl’s spot on the fourth line.
After some ups and downs during his rookie season, Farabee finished on a high note. But he was going to have to do a lot to break into the Flyers starting lineup for the postseason.
He had a strong training camp but failed to stick out as much as he needed to in order to earn a roster spot going in. But his name being first on the list here is a sign that the coaching staff did like what they had seen from him beforehand.
He has been used in different spots in the lineup, so there is a chance there could be some other lineup moves before the Flyers take to the ice against Washington on Thursday. Vigneault specifically pointed out that he hasn’t been pleased with the effort from James van Riemsdyk thus far in Toronto. So keep an eye on his place in the lineup.
With Tampa holding a better points-percentage in the regular season, they hold the tiebreaker for first place in the East. That puts the Flyers as the second seed. They could finish no worse than third if they defeat the Capitals. So with Farabee checking in, that will be the next task on their list.