Perhaps the key to beating Braden Holtby comes down to introducing a fresh face.
The Philadelphia Flyers are primed to roll Scott Laughton into the lineup for Game 2, making this the 2012 first-rounder’s first playoff game.*
With Sean Couturier out approximately two weeks, the Flyers will ask other players to step up against the Washington Capitals. Laughton hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard, yet like Couturier, his two-way game ranks as one of his calling cards.
In 3 reg-season games vs. Caps, Laughton had 1 goal + was minus-3. Coots played 2 reg-season games vs Wash.: 0 pts, minus-1, great D on Ovi.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) April 16, 2016
It sounds like Sam Gagner will also get a promotion to the second line. If nothing else, different Flyers -some veterans, some young players - will receive chances to prove themselves.
That’s not to say that there won’t at least be a little of the status quo.
Keeping that first-line together, eh? Not the way I'd go but if Gagner can play like he did on Thursday it may not matter. Do it.
— Kurt (@Kurt_BSH) April 16, 2016
We’ll find out soon enough if these tweaks will pay off.
* - He went 20th overall in 2012.