Philadelphia Flyers captain Sean Couturier will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday when his team hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Couturier, however, reportedly won’t be alone. Multiple media outlets reported Couturier’s linemates Cam Atkinson and Denis Gurianov will join defenseman Marc Staal in being spectators on Tuesday.
“I guess we’re going with the best lineup available tonight to get a win,” Couturier said. “So it is what it is. … I’ve got to leave my ego aside I guess and hopefully (the) team finds a way to get a win here tonight and I can get back into (the lineup) soon.”
Couturier, 31, has scored just one goal in his past 27 games and has totaled 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 64 games this season.
The Flyers (34-26-8, 76 points) have dropped two in a row and nine of their past 14 games (5-7-2) to see their lead on third place in the Metropolitan Division trimmed to just one point over the Washington Capitals.
“It’s tough,” Couturier said. “I feel like I’ve been putting the work in for a while and I’ve been struggling, trying to work on my game. Definitely frustrated with the way I’ve been treated (lately), I guess, but it is what it is.”
Flyers general manager Daniel Briere told reporters that coach John Tortorella doesn’t play favorites.
“I can tell you one thing — with John Tortorella, it doesn’t matter who it is. That’s what he’s known for. He treats everybody the same way,” Briere said.
Couturier has 496 points (191 goals, 305 assists) in 785 career games with the Flyers, who selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. He was the 2019-20 Selke Trophy recipient, which is awarded annually to the forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.
–Field Level Media