After being banished to the press box for three consecutive games, it looks like defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere draws back into the Philadelphia Flyers lineup for Thursday’s game against the New York Islanders.
The news comes with the Flyers having been shut out in each of their last two games, and needing some sort of spark offensively. Gostisbehere, a Calder Trophy finalist last year after 46 points in 64 games, has certainly shown capable of being productive in the past, and Philly could use that in its lineup.
This season, Gostisbehere has four goals and 21 points in 48 games, although he’s also dealt with a hand injury and spending time as a healthy scratch.
The sophomore blue liner has already stressed the need to play better in his own end, and he continued that message ahead of Thursday’s game, which you can catch on NBCSN or online with the NBC Sports’ Live Extra.
“That’s something that I bring to the table if offensive ability,” said Gostisbehere. “But we’ve been playing great defense, as well. I want to contribute in that form the most. I just want to show that I’m reliable defensively.”
The Flyers, despite recent struggles with only four wins in their last 10 games, still hold down a wild card spot, but the Islanders have been making a push to get into post-season contention, now sitting only three back of Philly in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
“I just want him to come in and play hard without the puck, and play confidently with the puck,” said Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol of Gostisbehere.