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Laviolette believes Flyers rookies will be just fine in playoffs

Sean Couturier, Marc-Andre Bourdon, Matt Read, Josh Harding

Philadelphia Flyers’ Sean Couturier, center, celebrates with teammates Marc-Andre Bourdon, second from right, and Matt Read (24) after Couturier’s goal against Minnesota Wild’s Josh Harding (37) in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

AP

One of the things you’ll notice when comparing the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers before their playoff series begins is how the Pens rely on a lot of veterans where the Flyers are being served by youth.

If you think the Flyers reliance on young players is going to hold them back in the postseason, coach Peter Laviolette has something to say to you. Laviolette tells Jay Greenberg of CSNPhilly.com that the Flyers wouldn’t be in the postseason without their young guns.

“We wouldn’t be in this situation if wasn’t for the way those guys contributed through the course of the year,” insisted Peter Laviolette Monday. “I have absolutely no doubt that they are going to play a good hockey game for us.”

When you look up and down the roster, the rookies have made themselves known. Forwards Sean Couturier, Matt Read, Brayden Schenn, and Eric Wellwood as well as defenseman Marc-Andre Bourdon have all had to stand out of late. Asking them to go for up to seven games against the numerous veterans including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is perhaps asking too much from them.